Assam Labourer Dies in Illegal Coal Mine in Meghalaya, Rat-Hole Mining Under Scrutiny Again

The death of an Assam labourer at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills has renewed focus on the continued practice of banned rat-hole mining. The victim, identified as Mosaid Ali (48) from Hojai district, collapsed while working at an illegal mine in Umthe village on January 14 and was declared dead at a local health centre. Police sealed the mine and launched an investigation, while Justice BP Katakey, appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to monitor illegal mining, sought a detailed report. Activists said repeated deaths highlight weak enforcement despite the National Green Tribunal’s 2014 ban. The incident follows earlier reports of fatal explosions linked to illegal mining in the district, now under scrutiny by police and the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission.