Meghalaya Government Transfers Police Chief in Wake of Deadly Mine Explosion
The Meghalaya government has transferred East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar, a significant administrative move that comes in direct response to the devastating February 5 explosion at an illegal coal mine in Mynsngat-Thangsko. The tragic incident claimed more than thirty lives, sending shockwaves through the state and prompting urgent action from authorities.
Police Reshuffle and Special Investigation Team Formation
According to an official notification issued by Commissioner and Secretary in-charge Home (Police) CVD Diengdoh on Saturday, the anti-narcotic task force SP Pankaj Rasgania will now assume the role of district police chief for East Jaintia Hills. This reshuffle follows Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang's February 12 order establishing a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough probe into the blast.
The official order stated clearly: "In order to ensure a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation... the DGP, Meghalaya is pleased to constitute a special investigation team with immediate effect." The notification cited the "interest of public service" and recommendations from the civil services board as the primary basis for the transfer decision.
Major Crackdown on Illegal Coal Operations
In parallel developments, Meghalaya police have launched an extensive crackdown on illegal coal extraction activities across East Jaintia Hills district. Authorities have registered sixty-two First Information Reports (FIRs) and made fourteen arrests in connection with various illegal mining operations.
Of those arrested, seven individuals have been specifically linked to the Mynsngat-Thangsko explosion. The identified suspects include Forme Chyrmang, Shameki War, Process Phawa, Tensing Suchiang, Yoomiki Syih, Ernest Swer, and Rangsing Syiemlieh alias Mithun. Police have confirmed that Ernest and Mithun remain in custody as investigations continue.
Additional Legal Actions and Seizures
Beyond the mine explosion case, authorities have filed five separate FIRs for illegal coal transportation and two more for seizures of explosives suspected to be intended for mining operations. The accused in these additional cases include Sahanaj Uddin and Abansan Syrti (Umthe case), Narayan Majumdar, Salim Uddin Choudhury and Safrul Islam Choudhury (Umpleng case), and Rishna Sutnga and Skhemborlang Kshiar (Umkiang case).
The scale of illegal operations has become increasingly apparent through substantial seizures. Authorities have confiscated 15,224.72 metric tonnes of assessed coal, with additional quantities still awaiting evaluation by the Department of Mineral Resources. Other significant seizures include five vehicles used in illegal operations, 25.5 kilograms of gelatin explosives, and seventy-four detonators.
Judicial Commission Appointed for Comprehensive Inquiry
In a parallel move demonstrating the government's commitment to addressing systemic issues, the state administration has appointed retired judge RS Chauhan as chairperson of a judicial inquiry commission. This commission has been tasked with investigating not only the specific circumstances of the Mynsngat-Thangsko blast but also the broader, persistent problem of illegal mining throughout Meghalaya.
The multiple layers of investigation—criminal, administrative, and judicial—reflect the seriousness with which authorities are approaching this tragedy and the underlying illegal mining operations that have plagued the region. The transfer of police leadership, combined with aggressive enforcement actions and comprehensive inquiries, signals a determined effort to address both immediate accountability and long-term systemic reform in Meghalaya's mining sector.
