Shillong: Meghalaya govt has transferred East Jaintia Hills SP Vikash Kumar, a move that comes in the wake of the Feb 5 Mynsngat-Thangsko explosion at an illegal coal mine that claimed more than 30 lives.According to a notification issued by commissioner & secretary in-charge home (police) CVD Diengdoh on Saturday, anti-narcotic task force SP Pankaj Rasgania will take over as the district police chief.
The reshuffle follows director general of police Idashisha Nongrang’s Feb 12 order constituting a nine-member SIT to probe the blast. “In order to ensure a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation… the DGP, Meghalaya is pleased to constitute a special investigation team with immediate effect,” the order stated.The official notification cited the “interest of public service” and the recommendation of the civil services board as the basis for the transfer.Meanwhile, police have arrested 14 persons after registering 62 FIRs related to illegal coal extraction in East Jaintia Hills. Of these, seven were arrested in connection with the Mynsngat-Thangsko blast. They have been identified as Forme Chyrmang, Shameki War, Process Phawa, Tensing Suchiang, Yoomiki Syih, Ernest Swer, and Rangsing Syiemlieh alias Mithun. Police confirmed that Ernest and Mithun are currently in custody.In addition, five FIRs were filed for illegal coal transportation and two for seizures of explosives suspected to be used in mining.The accused in other cases include Sahanaj Uddin and Abansan Syrti (Umthe case), Narayan Majumdar, Salim Uddin Choudhury and Safrul Islam Choudhury (Umpleng case), and Rishna Sutnga and Skhemborlang Kshiar (Umkiang case).Authorities have seized 15,224.72 metric tonnes of assessed coal, with more awaiting evaluation by the department of mineral resources. Seizures also include five vehicles, 25.5kg of gelatin explosives, and 74 detonators.In a parallel move, the state govt has appointed retired judge RS Chauhan as chairperson of the judicial inquiry commission to investigate the Mynsngat-Thangsko blast and the broader issue of illegal mining in Meghalaya.
