Meghalaya HC Slams 'Distressing' Failure to Curb Illegal Rat-Hole Mining

• Meghalaya High Court expressed serious concern over authorities' failure to curb rampant illegal rat-hole coal mining in East Jaintia Hills.
• The court warned that accountability would be fixed, and an independent or central agency probe could be ordered if required.
• Observations followed a February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in Thangsku, claiming 27 lives; two arrests made.
• The court directed authorities to file a comprehensive report within 10 days detailing steps to shut illegal mining sites and investigate earlier incidents.
• Despite a 2014 NGT ban, illegal rat-hole mining continues, leading to numerous fatalities, including 15 miners trapped in 2018.