New Delhi, February 11 The NHRC said on Wednesday that it has issued notices to the Meghalaya government and the state's police chief over reports that 18 workers died after an explosion at an "illegal coal mine" in the Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills earlier this month.
The incident reportedly left several others trapped at unspecified depths, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement.
The commission has "taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that 18 workers died after an explosion at an illegal coal mine in Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, on February 5," it said.
The commission has observed that, if true, the contents of the news report raise serious issues of violation of the victims' human rights.
Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Meghalaya, seeking a detailed report within two weeks, the statement said.
"The report is expected to include the status of the rescue operation, compensation to the affected families, and the police investigation, as well as the steps taken or proposed by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur," the rights panel said.
