‘No need for CM to resign over coal mine tragedy’
Shillong, Feb 11: The state government has taken full responsibility and acting against those involved in the coal mine tragedy in East Jaintia Hills, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said on Wednesday while asserting that there is no need for Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to resign due to the accident.
“We are taking full responsibility on this and we are taking action against all those involved, so I don’t think that it is needed for the CM to step down,” Shylla said while responding to opposition’s demand for resignation of the Chief Minister over the incident Mynsngat-Thangsko claiming at least 31 lives.
Welcoming the High Court’s decision to institute an independent inquiry by a central agency, he said, “Definitely, there is nothing to hide. We are taking this issue seriously that is why the CM has come up with a judicial inquiry in the first place.”
He informed that the state government will soon sit and decide on appointment of the chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission.
“(The law) will take its own course.”
Shylla emphasized that the government is committed to providing the best service to the people of the state, despite the unfortunate incident.
“We will try our best to give the best service to the people of the state. No doubt, incidents will happen and that is unfortunate, but we will try our level best,” he said.
Further, the Health Minister has also acknowledged the challenges faced by authorities in tackling illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, stating that the area is difficult to monitor.
“The place was very much inside, but no doubt from time to time, we are trying our level best,” Shylla said while referring to his recent visit along with education minister Lahkmen Rymbui to the incident site.
Shylla emphasized that the government is taking action against those responsible for the tragic incident, directing the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to take necessary measures.
“We have seized many vehicles, many coal, but as you seen it yourself that the area is difficult and it is not easy for us to say,” he added.
The Minister expressed shock at the extent of fresh mining activities in the area, stating that the government was previously unaware of these operations.
“We thought that this was coal, which were (already) there, and they were transporting it. But we were not aware that fresh mining was happening,” Shylla said.
The government has arrested mine owners and drivers involved in the illegal activities, with two more arrested recently.
“We are going after everybody, we are not leaving anybody, who are involved in illegalities,” Shylla assured.
Meanwhile, the rescue operation has been called off, with NDRF and SDRF teams concluding that there are no more bodies inside the mine, he added.
