Meghalaya Mine Blast: Police arrest Two Suspects

A day after the devastating explosion inside an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district claimed at least 18 lives , authorities intensified action on Friday with two mine owners arrested , rescue operations continuing, and both state and central governments stepping in to oversee relief and accountability.

Meghalaya Police confirmed that the two arrested men are believed to be the owners and operators of the illegal rat-hole mine where the blast occurred. They have been taken into custody and will be produced before a court as investigators widen the probe. Officials said more arrests are likely as police identify others involved in running the unauthorised mining operation.

Rescue and recovery efforts resumed early in the day with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working in difficult terrain. The narrow tunnels, unstable soil, and risk of further cave-ins have slowed operations, while fears remain that more workers could still be trapped underground.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma deputed two cabinet ministers to the site to monitor rescue work, coordinate with district authorities, and ensure immediate assistance reaches affected families. He reiterated that those responsible for illegal mining would face strict action.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government is in touch with Meghalaya authorities, as several workers from Assam were reportedly among the victims. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Meghalaya Chief Minister and assured full support from the Centre for rescue and investigation efforts.

In the wake of the disaster, governments announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. The Assam government declared an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each for the next of kin of three labourers from Assam who were killed. The Meghalaya government announced ₹3 lakh for the families of each deceased miner, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased, along with ₹50,000 for the injured .

Police have registered a case under relevant criminal laws and mining regulations, focusing on violations linked to illegal rat-hole mining, a hazardous practice that has repeatedly been banned but continues in remote coal belts. The latest arrests mark the first concrete legal action in the case, even as the region mourns another preventable mining disaster.

For families waiting outside hospitals and the accident site, the focus remains on the fate of missing workers, with hope slowly giving way to grief as the search continues.