Shillong: A single-member committee led by retired Justice B.P. Katakey has directed the Meghalaya government to finalize and execute a plan for the closure of all rat-hole coal mines in the state. The directive follows an investigation into the discovery of an unidentified body inside an abandoned mine pit in the East Jaintia Hills district.
The committee advised that until the closure process is complete, the state must fence or secure every mine opening to prevent accidents. These safety measures aim to protect both local residents and livestock from falling into the dangerous pits. The committee emphasized that failing to secure these sites violates the fundamental right to life, noting that "execution of mine closure plans and immediate fencing of open coal mine pits was of utmost priority to prevent further loss of human life and livestock."
Authorities discovered the body on May 10 after receiving a report from a village headman. The victim, who was found submerged 50 feet underground, died from asphyxia caused by drowning approximately two weeks prior to the recovery. Because the body remains unidentified, officials believe the deceased was likely not a local resident.
Previous reports have identified more than 22,000 abandoned coal mine pits across the region. The committee has also requested that the state provide compensation to the victim's family, citing the government's failure to maintain secure conditions around these hazardous abandoned mining sites.
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