The Meghalaya government has set up a three-member judicial commission, headed by retired High Court judge Justice R.S. Chauhan, to investigate the February 5 explosion at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district that left 31 people dead.
As per a notification issued on February 14, the commission has been formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. It has been asked to determine responsibility for the blast and also examine whether any constitutional provisions allow exemptions from central mining laws in the state.
The other members of the panel are retired IPS officer H. Nongpluh and former IAS officer P.S. Dkhar. Justice Chauhan earlier served as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court and the Telangana High Court.
The commission will carry out a detailed inquiry into the incident at the illegal mine in the remote Thangsku area of Mynsngat village. It has been given six months from the date of notification to submit its findings and recommendations to the state government.
The panel will look into possible lapses on the part of authorities, including any acts of omission or commission that may have led to the tragedy. It will also examine the larger issue of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya and review the working conditions of labourers who depend on the sector for their livelihood.
Further, the commission has been tasked with suggesting corrective steps, administrative reforms and financial rehabilitation measures for those affected by the National Green Tribunal’s 2014 ban on coal mining. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had announced the judicial probe on February 9.
In a related development, the government has transferred East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar and appointed him as head of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force. ANTF chief P.K. Rasgania will take charge as the new SP of East Jaintia Hills, according to another notification.