Cops start probe after man dies of blast injuries in Jaintia Hills

Shillong: Police have launched a probe into the death of a man in East Jaintia Hills, reportedly caused by a dynamite explosion. A suo motu case of accidental death has been registered in connection with the incident.District superintendent of police Vikash Kumar said the victim, identified as Ashok Tamang, succumbed to burn injuries at Shillong Civil Hospital on Jan 1. He was first admitted to Sutnga Community Health Centre on Dec 23, before being referred to Shillong.“Based on the dying declaration of Ashok Tamang, we have registered a suo motu case under Section 105 of the BNS related to accidental death. During investigation, we will determine his workplace and the circumstances under which he was handling dynamite,” Kumar said.The SP said Tamang did not mention coal mining in his statement, only that the incident occurred at his workplace. He added that the Justice BP Katakey Committee has sought a report, and police will provide all available details once the investigation is complete.Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of reports about the death of two persons in Thangsko village, East Jaintia Hills, allegedly due to a dynamite blast.The commission has issued a notice to the district SP to conduct an effective inquiry and submit a detailed report.Separately, police are searching for the masterminds behind the IED attack on the Dhar Construction Company campus at Shymplong village on Dec 15. The blast damaged a water tanker but caused no injuries.Two suspects, Richard Suchen (31) and Pynshaitbor Syih (45), have already been arrested. The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) claimed responsibility, saying the attack targeted property linked to deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar after an alleged extortion demand was refused.Police have identified the masterminds as Smiki Tongper of Shymplong and Issei Sungoh, an HNLC cadre from Khliehriat, both wanted in separate criminal cases.