One person was killed on Wednesday night after an overloaded coal truck overturned and crushed two vehicles at Byndihati in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district.
The accident occurred around 8:30 pm when the truck lost balance and toppled onto two vehicles travelling on the road. The victim, who died on the spot, was reportedly an occupant of one of the cars that was crushed under the truck. Authorities have yet to release the identity of the deceased.
The incident comes just hours before the Meghalaya High Court is scheduled to hear a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on illegal coal mining on Thursday. During the previous hearing on February 25, a division bench comprising Justices HS Thangkhiew and Wanlura Diengdoh directed both the current and former Superintendents of Police of East Jaintia Hills to appear in person during the next hearing.
The Court had earlier observed that illegal coal mining continues to thrive due to strong market demand and high profitability, stating that such activities cannot continue without buyers and financial support.
The bench also raised concerns over the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing illegal mining, noting that it was being headed by a relatively junior officer. Responding to the observation, the Advocate General assured the Court that a senior official would be appointed to lead the team to ensure the investigation is more incisive and effective.
So far, authorities have registered 77 FIRs in connection with illegal mining, arrested 14 individuals, and seized more than 16,000 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal along with explosives. Despite these actions, the High Court has stressed the need for stronger enforcement to curb the ongoing menace.
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