Guwahati: The Meghalaya Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the illegal coal mine explosion at Thangsku in East Jaintia Hills. The blast has claimed 32 lives so far.
Authorities reported the latest death at a hospital in Guwahati. The injured worker succumbed to his injuries days after the February 5 explosion.
In an official order, Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang said the government constituted the SIT to ensure a fair and expeditious probe. He said the team will examine the circumstances that led to the blast at Thangsku in East Jaintia Hills district, Khliehriat.
The nine-member SIT will be led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Eastern Range) Vivekanand S Rathore. The team will ascertain the cause of the explosion and conduct a comprehensive investigation. It will also identify violations of court orders and directions of the National Green Tribunal on illegal mining.
The order said the SIT will complete the investigation in a time-bound manner. It will aim to bring the case to its logical conclusion and ensure justice in accordance with the law.
Authorities called off search and rescue operations at the blast site on February 9. Assessment teams concluded that there was no further possibility of locating survivors trapped inside the mine.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced that a judicial inquiry commission will probe the circumstances leading to the blast. The commission will also fix responsibility for the incident.
The explosion has again raised questions over the enforcement of the ban on rat-hole mining and coal transportation in Meghalaya. The National Green Tribunal imposed the ban in 2014. The tribunal cited severe environmental damage and serious safety risks to miners, including poor ventilation and lack of structural safeguards.
The state government informed the Meghalaya High Court that it will take strict action against those operating the illegal mine. So far, authorities have arrested four persons. They have also seized several thousand metric tonnes of illegally mined coal. Officials have intensified raids in coal-bearing areas and dismantled labour camps.
The investigation now focuses on how the illegal operation continued nearly a decade after the blanket ban. Authorities are also probing who allowed the mine to function unchecked.