Mining impunity

A fatal blast in Meghalaya highlights the deep failure to curb rat-hole mining despite court orders and enforcement measures

- ANUPAM CHAKRAVARTTY

THE EXPLOSION inside a rat-hole mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, which has killed 27 mine workers, has exposed the persistence of illegal coal mining in the northeastern state despite years of court orders and official assurances. The blast occurred on February 5 in Mynsyn-gat village, about 22 km from Khliehriat, the district headquarters. Till February 7, nine workers were in hospital undergoing treatment for second- and third-degree burns, and more bodies were believed buried in the mine. Injured survivors say that 70-80 workers might have been present in the mine.

The area could be accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles, which delayed rescue efforts. According to Vikash Kumar, district superintendent of police, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force reached the site only by evening. Rescue officials described hazardous conditions underground. Landslips caused by subsurface water, along with a maze of rat-hole tunnels radiating from a central pit 100 m deep, hampered operations. Chief Minister Conrad Kongkal Sangma has announced a judicial inquiry into the blast, reiterating that he had repeatedly warned mine owners against using the dangerous rat-hole method. But judges and activists appear unconvinced.

DEATHS FORETOLD