NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of 18 workers after blast at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of 18 workers after blast at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that 18 workers died after a blast at an illegal coal mine in Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya on 5th February 2026. Reportedly, the incident has left several others trapped at unspecified depths.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Meghalaya, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

The report is expected to include the status of rescue operation, compensation to the aggrieved families and police investigation as well as steps taken/ proposed by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur.