The 5 February coal mine explosion at Mynsngat–Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills has triggered a political storm across Meghalaya, with mounting calls for accountability and the resignation of the Chief Minister, who also holds the Mining and Geology portfolio.
The main voice in the opposition-the Voice of the People Party (VPP) has directly demanded that the Chief Minister step down. Its spokesperson, Batskem Myrboh, said repeated mining tragedies and what he termed “astonishing claims of ignorance” by ministers demonstrate a lack of seriousness. He warned that inquiry commissions often take time and fade from public attention, raising fears that this case may meet the same fate.
Myrboh recalled that in 2023 the High Court had observed a nexus between people in power and the “coal mafia”. He argued that the government failed to act decisively after those remarks. Instead, he said, the authorities continue to offer explanations that “sound like a joke”.
Responding to the Deputy Chief Minister’s claim that mines are located in remote areas, making regulation difficult, Myrboh questioned how coal is transported along main roads without interception. “If the government cannot reach the mines, how does it not see the coal moving out of the State?” he asked.
He further alleged that since the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) came to power in 2018, illegal mining and transportation have increased. According to him, the government denied the existence of illegal mining until the Ksan tragedy, which killed 15 miners, forced an admission. Without such incidents, he believes, the problem would have continued to be ignored.
Calling the Thangsko explosion — where more than 30 labourers reportedly died — a preventable tragedy, Myrboh said that had the government implemented the High Court’s 2023 directions, lives might have been saved. Illegal mining, he added, not only costs lives but diverts State revenue into “the pockets of those involved in illegalities”.
While the VPP demands resignation, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has sharpened its criticism over what it calls broken promises. MPCC President Vincent H. Pala said the Chief Minister, as Mining Minister, made repeated assurances during the election campaign that mining would be allowed within six months, with the BJP manifesto promising action within 180 days.
According to Pala, the Chief Minister travelled to Mandihati and Nongstoiñ promising to resume coal mining. These assurances from the BJP and NPP, he said, created expectations that were never fulfilled. Although he acknowledged that accidents can happen anywhere and that the matter is now sub judice, Pala insisted that the larger failure lies in confusing and inconsistent policy signals.
He argued that even when mining leases are discussed, timelines are repeatedly announced but never realised. Investors have spent money, particularly in Jaintia Hills, yet uncertainty persists. The government, he said, must clearly state whether mining will be permitted or not.
Pala also accused the government of offering “lip service” on reform. He maintained that amending the MMDR Act is possible if there is genuine political will, pointing to a Supreme Court order stating that minerals beneath tribal land belong to landowners. However, he alleged reluctance within the system, suggesting that reform would disrupt entrenched interests.
He further claimed that a system of “collection” or extortion accompanies coal transportation, something widely known to those who travel along the roads. While the State projects rapid development, he argued, the benefits reach only a few, leaving ordinary citizens confused and economically vulnerable.
The Jaintia National Council (JNC), through its Central President Sambormi Lyngdoh, expressed grave concern and suspicion over the Thangsko explosion. The organisation suggested the incident may not have been accidental and called for a thorough investigation.
Citing information from the public, the JNC claimed that many workers in the mines were Muslims from Bangladesh. It demanded that investigations extend beyond illegal coal trading to examine alleged illegal entry into East Jaintia Hills and urged the Police Department to act firmly against those responsible.
The JNC also criticised restrictive mining laws, arguing that they push citizens towards illegal trade. With scientific mining requiring ownership of 100 hectares — an unrealistic benchmark for most — it called for small-scale scientific mining to legalise operations, generate revenue and curb illegalities.
Adding to the pressure, Thomas Passah, Working President of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), alleged that illegal mining continues in full swing despite the National Green Tribunal’s ban — and with the government’s knowledge.
He said mining cannot be concealed, as coal is transported in large trucks along main roads and through police check gates. The claim that the authorities are unaware, he argued, is difficult to believe. He criticised the government’s “defence mode” and warned that inquiry committees should not become tools to shield the truth.
Passah also alleged that the MDA Government’s Mining Policy favours large companies while forcing small landowners to surrender land. He urged reforms that prioritise the common man, regulate illegal mining and protect future generations.
As multiple political parties and organisations raise concerns — from allegations of nexus and extortion to broken promises and policy confusion — the Thangsko tragedy has evolved into a wider test of governance. At its core lies a pressing question: will the government enforce the law and clarify its mining policy, or will public anger intensify into a broader demand for political accountability at the highest level?
