Shillong, May 8: The inquiry commission headed by Justice (Retd) RS Chauhan into the coal mine tragedy claiming over two dozen lives at Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills, completed its three-day hearing at State Guest House here on Friday.
Submissions were recorded from a range of stakeholders between May 6 and May 8, stated an official release.
Stakeholders in government departments, mining bodies, and victims’ families were heard during the commission’s three-day sitting.
On the first day, the panel heard the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force, Shillong; Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd., Ranchi; the Ministry of Coal, New Delhi; and the Director, Directorate of Mineral Resources, Shillong.
Day two saw depositions from the Shallang Area Trader Association, West Khasi Hills, and the South West Khasi Hills Mine Owners and Exporter Association.
The final day on May 8 included submissions from the North Eastern Space Application Centre, the Indian Bureau of Mines, and relatives of the victims.
“The next sitting of the Commission will be held from the 13th to 15th July 2026,” the statement said.
“The Commission will visit the incident site on 13 July 2026 and will continue to conduct enquiry.”
The Commission has also issued a public notice in English and local newspapers inviting further depositions.
“Those who wishes to depose or make further submissions may do so by writing to the Secretary, Commission of Inquiry, Room 228, Main Building, Meghalaya Secretariat, Shillong or by emailing at commission.inquirymeg@gmail.com,” it added.
