Shillong / New Delhi – Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an emergency review meeting on the devastating coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, where the confirmed death toll has now climbed to 18. The blast, which occurred inside an illegal rat-hole coal mine on February 5, 2026, has left families shattered and triggered fresh outrage over the persistent violation of mining bans in the state.
During a high-level video conference with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Director General of Police, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Coal, and Mines, Amit Shah directed the Centre to provide all possible assistance for rescue, relief, and investigation. He assured the state government of complete central support, including deployment of NDRF teams, expert technical assistance, and financial aid for the victims’ families.
Key Points from Amit Shah’s Review
- Immediate Rescue & Relief — Additional NDRF, SDRF, and mining rescue teams have been rushed to the site. The Home Minister stressed “leaving no stone unturned” to recover any remaining trapped workers.
- Ex-Gratia Announcement — The Centre will provide ₹5 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of each deceased worker (as per existing norms), with the state government expected to top it up.
- Thorough Investigation Ordered — A multi-agency probe involving the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), and Meghalaya Police has been initiated to fix accountability.
- Strong Warning on Illegal Mining — Shah reiterated that rat-hole mining remains banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court orders. He directed strict enforcement and prosecution of mine owners, contractors, and any complicit officials.
Current Situation at the Site
- Death Toll: 18 confirmed dead (as of February 6 morning); several others still feared trapped.
- Rescue Operations: Extremely challenging due to flooding, toxic gases, and unstable mine structure. Dewatering pumps and ventilation systems are being installed round-the-clock.
- Local Anger: Families of the deceased and local residents have staged protests demanding immediate closure of all illegal mines and stringent action against the mining mafia.
Political & Administrative Fallout
The tragedy has reignited debate over Meghalaya’s decades-long struggle to end illegal rat-hole mining, which continues despite repeated court bans and enforcement drives. Opposition parties in the state have accused the MDA government of “turning a blind eye” to powerful mining syndicates.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma assured the Home Minister that the state is fully cooperating with central agencies and has intensified crackdowns in the past year. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward illegal mining but acknowledged enforcement remains a challenge due to difficult terrain and deep-rooted local interests.
Amit Shah’s personal intervention and assurance of full central backing signal high-level national attention on the incident, which has once again exposed the human cost of unregulated coal extraction in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive regions.
The Home Minister is expected to make further announcements on additional relief measures and long-term steps to prevent recurrence once rescue operations conclude.
Relevant Tags
Meghalaya Coal Mine Blast, Amit Shah Meghalaya Review, Rat-Hole Mining Tragedy, East Jaintia Hills Accident, Illegal Coal Mining Meghalaya, NDRF Rescue Operation, Coal Mine Death Toll 18, Meghalaya Mining Ban Violation, Central Support Meghalaya, NGT Ban Rat-Hole
Hashtags
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