Shillong, February 6: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has held the state government responsible for the recent mining tragedy in East Jaintia Hills, stating that the deaths of at least 18 workers in a suspected dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine were the result of prolonged administrative failure and neglect.
In a press release issued on Thursday by its General Secretary, Sanjay Das, the MPCC expressed deep sorrow over the incident at Mynsyngat in the Thangsko area, asserting that the tragedy exposed the continued operation of illegal rat-hole coal mining in the state despite a ban imposed in 2014 and upheld by the Supreme Court.
The party stated that illegal mining activities persist not due to lack of awareness but because of weak enforcement and absence of accountability. It pointed out that warnings from the Meghalaya High Court and findings of the Katakey Commission regarding mining irregularities had not led to effective action by the NPP-led MDA government.
Referring to initial reports indicating the use of dynamite inside the illegal mine, the Congress said such practices violated mining and environmental laws as well as basic safety norms. While acknowledging the registration of an FIR, the party questioned how such hazardous operations were allowed to continue.
The MPCC also criticised what it described as a recurring pattern of responses following mining tragedies, involving condolences and compensation announcements without systemic corrective action. The party rejected claims that illegal mining is difficult to control, arguing that the state has adequate authority and enforcement mechanisms to prevent such incidents.
Describing illegal coal mining as organised and systematic, the Congress alleged that selective enforcement and administrative inaction have allowed the practice to continue, endangering lives, particularly those of economically vulnerable workers.
The party further stated that many victims, including migrant labourers, were forced into unsafe working conditions and were left unprotected by authorities responsible for ensuring safety and legality.
The MPCC demanded accountability at higher political and administrative levels, action against officials who failed to prevent illegal mining, strict and time-bound enforcement of the mining ban, adequate compensation and rehabilitation support for victims’ families, and public disclosure of actions taken on past court orders and commission reports.
The party extended condolences to the families of the deceased workers and stressed that the people of Meghalaya deserve governance that prioritises human life and rule of law.
