New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has taken suo motu cognisance of an illegal rat hole coal mine in Meghalaya after a blast killed 30 workers. The tribunal issued notices to the Central Pollution Control Board and the Meghalaya government over violations of environmental laws.
A fire and blast struck a 100 foot deep illegal coal mine in the Mynsngat Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district on February 5. Authorities first reported 18 deaths. On February 10, the toll rose to 30. The tribunal said the tragedy ranks among the biggest mining disasters since July 2021.
In its February 6 order, the NGT pointed to violations of the Air Act of 1981, the Indian Forest Act of 1927 and the Environment Protection Act of 1986. The bench led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel sent notices to Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed, the CPCB in Delhi and its Shillong office, and East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar. They must respond before May 12. The tribunal will hear the matter on May 19.
The NGT banned rat hole coal mining in Meghalaya in April 2014 after earlier worker deaths. The Supreme Court upheld the ban. Activists state mine owners backed by political and influential figures continue operations despite the order.
The tribunal has raised concerns over non compliance in the past. In 2024, it questioned authorities in Nagaland after six workers died in a similar illegal mine.
