Shillong, February 8: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday said that sealing an estimated 22,000 abandoned rat-hole coal mines across the state is an enormous and physically demanding task, describing it as the “real challenge” for the administration in the aftermath of the fatal illegal mining explosion in East Jaintia Hills, which has claimed 27 lives so far.
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| Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma |
Addressing the issue, the Chief Minister said that even if authorities were to shut down 10 to 20 abandoned mines daily with dedicated teams, the process would still take several years to complete in just one district. He noted that the scale and spread of abandoned mines make enforcement extremely difficult, despite the use of satellite monitoring and other tracking mechanisms to curb illegal activity.
Sangma said that while the government is actively addressing the issue of illegal mining, tragic incidents such as the recent blast continue to occur due to the vastness and inaccessibility of affected areas. Referring to the blast site at Thangsko, he said the location is extremely remote and can only be reached using four-wheel-drive vehicles, posing serious logistical challenges for enforcement agencies.
In January, B. P. Katakey, head of the High Court-appointed Coal Mining Monitoring Committee, had directed the East Jaintia Hills district administration to urgently identify low-cost and effective methods to seal over 22,000 abandoned rat-hole coal mines. Justice Katakey termed the open pits a grave threat to both human life and the environment, stating that the challenge lies not in intent but in cost-effective execution, while also flagging illegal mining and mine explosions as persistent concerns.
Emphasising the seriousness with which the government is treating the matter, the Chief Minister said more than 1,000 cases related to illegal mining have been registered so far, with hundreds of individuals charge-sheeted. He added that enforcement agencies are regularly identifying and taking action against those involved in illegal mining activities.
Sangma pointed out that while existing police manpower may be sufficient for routine law-and-order duties, large-scale monitoring, surveys and search operations across difficult terrain require significantly higher deployment. He said a comprehensive action plan is already in place and additional police personnel will be deployed to strengthen enforcement.
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Meanwhile, following the Thangsko blast, a statewide crackdown has been launched against illegal rat-hole mining. East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said efforts are underway to arrest five absconding individuals, including mine owners and managers. He said all five have been identified, and if they are not arrested by Sunday, police will seek Non-Bailable Warrants of Arrest on Monday, followed by proclamation proceedings and attachment of property if required.
A suo motu FIR has been registered at Khliehriat police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
The government has also initiated a pilot project to seal 50 abandoned mines, based on a technical report submitted by the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited, as part of long-term efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations and prevent further loss of life.
