The Meghalaya High Court has directed the Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, Pankaj Rasgania, and his predecessor P Vikash Kumar to remain personally present before the court on February 24 in connection with a public interest litigation concerning the illegal coal mining tragedy that claimed 34 lives.
A division bench comprising Justice W Diengdoh and Justice H S Thangkhiew passed the direction while hearing the PIL relating to alleged illegal coal mining activities in the district.
Rasgania, who took charge as SP last week, was present in court during the hearing on Thursday. The bench ordered that both the incumbent and former district police chiefs must appear on the next date of hearing.
The court noted that the state respondents had submitted a status report in compliance with its February 9 order. According to the bench, the report appeared “exhaustive” but would require detailed examination before any further or effective directions could be issued.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 24.
The PIL arises out of the explosion at an alleged illegal coal mine in the Thangsku area of East Jaintia Hills district on February 5.
The State Disaster Management Authority informed that the death toll has risen to 34 after a local miner, Shanki Shullai, succumbed to injuries on Wednesday. Officials stated that four of the deceased were miners from Meghalaya, while the rest were from outside the state.
The court is examining issues surrounding illegal mining operations and the response of authorities in the aftermath of the incident.
