The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken a firm stand against the recurring tragedy of illegal mining. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the commission ordered a high-level probe into the deaths of two individuals in the East Jaintia Hills district. This intervention follows reports of a violent dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mining site in Thangsko village. The MHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident, signaling its intent to hold the state administration accountable for safety lapses.
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Details of the Thangsko Dynamite Explosion
The fatal incident reportedly occurred on December 23, 2025, during a rock-breaking operation to extract coal. However, news of the tragedy only surfaced recently through social media and local media outlets. According to preliminary reports, a powerful dynamite blast left several workers with severe burn injuries.
So far, authorities have identified one victim as 34-year-old Ashok Tamang. He was initially rushed to the Sutnga Community Health Centre before doctors referred him to the Shillong Civil Hospital. Unfortunately, Tamang succumbed to his injuries on January 1, 2026. The second victim, whose identity remains unconfirmed, is suspected to be a foreign national who died on the day of the blast.
MHRC Directs Chief Secretary to Submit Report
In a notice issued to the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, the MHRC demanded a detailed inquiry. The commission’s secretary, L. Ch. Marak, stated that the government must submit its findings within one month. This move adds significant pressure on the state, as the local police initially dismissed the reports as “baseless rumors.”
The MHRC’s intervention highlights a growing concern over the “clandestine cover-up” of mining accidents. Because these illegal mines often employ undocumented workers, many injuries and fatalities go unreported to avoid legal scrutiny. The rights body aims to determine if the state failed to prevent hazardous rat-hole mining despite the existing National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban.
Chronology of the Incident:
- December 23, 2025: A dynamite blast occurs at an illegal mine in Thangsko village.
- December 23, 2025: One victim reportedly dies on-site; Ashok Tamang is hospitalized with 80% burns.
- January 1, 2026: Ashok Tamang dies at the Shillong Civil Hospital.
- January 5, 2026: The Justice (Retd) BP Katakey committee seeks a police report on the incident.
- January 6, 2026: The MHRC formally orders a government-led inquiry.
Parallel Inquiry by the Justice Katakey Committee
In addition to the rights body, the Meghalaya High Court-appointed committee is also investigating the matter. Justice (Retd) BP Katakey, who monitors illegal coal mining in the state, has demanded a separate report from the Meghalaya Police. He expressed “confusion” over the conflicting reports from the ground.
While the police have now registered a suo motu case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), they claim the incident occurred at a “workplace” rather than a coal mine. However, local activists like Agnes Kharshiing argue that the presence of dynamite and the nature of the injuries clearly point toward illegal rat-hole mining. Justice Katakey expects the police to clarify the exact location and circumstances of the blast by the end of this week.
The Persistent Shadow of Illegal Mining
East Jaintia Hills remains the epicenter of illegal coal mining in the “Amazon of the East.” Despite the 2014 NGT ban, rat-hole mining continues in several pockets of the district. The clandestine nature of these operations means workers have zero safety equipment or emergency response systems.
Furthermore, the involvement of powerful coal mafias often intimidates the families of victims into silence. Consequently, the coal mine deaths in East Jaintia Hills frequently remain hidden from public records. The dual pressure from the MHRC and the Katakey committee represents a rare moment of coordinated oversight. Many hope this will finally lead to a crackdown on the illegal sites.
Conclusion: A Demand for Accountability
The MHRC’s probe is a vital step toward transparency in Meghalaya’s troubled mining sector. By reclaiming 6,200 bighas of forest land and investigating these deaths, the state shows a renewed interest in the rule of law. However, for the people of Thangsko village, justice will only come when those running these “death traps” face legal consequences.
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