Guwahati: Retired High Court judge Justice R.S. Chauhan has been appointed to head a three-member judicial commission to probe the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district that claimed 31 lives.
The panel, constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, will examine accountability and possible constitutional exemptions to central mining laws, according to a notification dated February 14. Retired IPS officer H. Nongpluh and former IAS officer P.S. Dkhar complete the three-member commission.
Justice Chauhan has previously served as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts. The commission is tasked with conducting a comprehensive fact-finding investigation into the explosion at the illegal mine in Thangsko, Mynsngat village.
“The commission may submit its report, including findings and recommendations, to the state government within six months of the notification,” the notification stated. It has been mandated to identify acts or omissions by authorities and determine whether any lapses contributed to the disaster.
Beyond assigning responsibility, the panel will examine the root causes of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya and assess the working conditions of labourers dependent on the industry. It will also recommend remedial measures, administrative reforms, and financial rehabilitation schemes for those affected by the 2014 National Green Tribunal ban on coal mining.
The judicial inquiry follows an announcement by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on February 9. In parallel, the state government transferred East Jaintia Hills SP Vikash Kumar to head the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, with ANTF chief P.K. Rasgania taking over as SP of East Jaintia Hills. Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang has also ordered a special investigation team (SIT) probe into the incident.