Shillong, Feb 16: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday announced the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the deadly coal mine blast in East Jaintia Hills. The February 5 explosion at an illegal mine in Thangsku claimed 33 lives.

The commission, headed by retired Justice R.S. Chauhan, with retired IPS officer H. Nongpluh and IAS officer Peter Dkhar as members, will examine administrative lapses, suggest legal reforms, recommend rehabilitation for families dependent on mining, and review Sixth Schedule exemptions to central mining laws. The panel has six months to submit its report under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.

Sangma highlighted the government’s push for scientific mining, noting that three projects have been approved while 20 await central clearance. To tackle illegal mining, five enforcement teams supported by gazetted officers, armed personnel, and mining officials have filed 62 FIRs, including 57 for extraction, five for transport, and two for explosives. Authorities have seized 15,224.72 metric tonnes of coal, dismantled six cranes, confiscated six vehicles, and increased drone surveillance.

Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS were imposed in mining areas to aid enforcement. A massive search and rescue operation recovered 24 bodies by February 7, with others succumbing later; operations concluded on February 9. Relief measures include Rs 24 lakh disbursed to eight families, with more payments underway.

Preliminary investigations indicate that explosives triggered the blast amid unstable mine conditions. A suo motu FIR was registered under BNS, MMDR Act, and the Explosives Act, and a Special Investigation Team led by DIG (Eastern Range) arrested seven suspects on February 12.