Retired High Court Judge Justice R.S. Chauhan has been appointed to lead a three-member judicial panel to investigate the tragic February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills. The explosion killed 31 people. According to a notification dated February 14, the panel's main tasks include fixing accountability and exploring possible constitutional exemptions to central mining laws. The other members are retired IPS officer H. Nongpluh and former IAS officer P.S. Dkhar. Justice Chauhan previously served as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts. The Commission, formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1952, will carry out a detailed fact-finding exercise about the explosion at the illegal mine in the remote Thangsku area of Mynsngat village. The panel has six months from the notification date to submit its report with findings and recommendations. Mandated to identify any acts or omissions by authorities that contributed to the disaster, the panel will also look into the root causes of illegal coal mining in Meghalaya. It will review the working conditions of the labourers dependent on this hazardous industry. The notification states the commission will suggest remedial steps, administrative reforms, and financial help for people affected by the National Green Tribunal’s 2014 ban on coal mining. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced this judicial inquiry on February 9. Meanwhile, the government transferred East Jaintia Hills SP Vikash Kumar to head the Anti-Narcotics Task Force. ANTF chief PK Rasgania has been posted as the new SP of East Jaintia Hills.