The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday summoned the East Jaintia Hills deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police in connection with the deaths of 18 workers in a blast at an illegal coal mine, reported The Shillong Times.
Taking suo moto cognisance of the matter, a division bench of Justices Hamarsan Sing Thangkhiew and Wanlura Diengdoh also ordered the arrest of the mine’s owner and operator, according to Highland Post.
The blast occurred on Thursday morning at Mynsyngat, Thangsko. The site is located about 40 km from the district headquarters.
The High Court said that it was “not understood as to how illegal coal mining is continuing in this area in spite of the reported loss of life of one person” on January 14.
The bench directed East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi and Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar to appear before it on February 9.
It also asked the authorities to seize all incriminating materials, reported The Shillong Times.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had earlier said that an inquiry had been ordered into the blast and promised legal action.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who died. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.
Meanwhile, the Voice of the People Party blamed the National People’s Party government in Meghalaya and the Union government...
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