Church leaders have expressed deep sorrow following a deadly coal mine explosion that killed at least 31 people in Meghalaya, a Christian-majority state in northeast India. According to the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority, the accident also left 10 people injured. Most of the victims were migrant workers from neighbouring Assam and Nepal. Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh of Shillong offered condolences to the families who lost loved ones, describing the tragedy as heart-breaking. He also called on authorities to take stronger action to prevent similar disasters and to curb illegal mining activities that continue to endanger lives.
The explosion occurred on Feb. 5 in a coal mine located in the remote Mynsyngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district. Reports indicate that a dynamite blast inside the mine caused the accident. A large rescue operation involving multiple agencies was carried out, but access to information remained limited due to the area’s remote location. Church officials said they are still unsure whether Christians were among the victims. Meanwhile, state authorities have begun action against illegal mining operations following the tragedy. Two mine owners have been arrested, and officials seized more than 6,900 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal during raids.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has ordered a judicial inquiry and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for families of the deceased. The Meghalaya High Court has also taken notice of the issue and sought explanations from local officials regarding the continued presence of illegal mining despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2014.
The incident has renewed concerns about hazardous rat-hole mining, which remains widespread despite legal restrictions. Church leaders and activists have renewed calls for stronger action against caste discrimination in educational institutions following debates over University Grants Commission (UGC) equity regulations and a recent Supreme Court stay on their implementation.
