Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said 57 FIRs were filed after a February 5 explosion in a rat-hole coal mine that killed 33 miners. The blast occurred in Mynsngat-Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills district. Besides, five FIRs for illegal coal transportation and two for seizure of explosives were registered. The government seized 15,224.72 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal. Seven people were arrested in the explosion case, and seven more for other illegal coal activities. Mr. Sangma said, "The State Government is committed to ensuring that illegal coal mining and illegal transportation is stopped." Drones are now used to monitor mining areas where enforcement teams operate. He warned of risks posed by unstable ground, narrow spaces, debris, machinery, and explosives to survivors and rescuers. The government set up a judicial inquiry commission on February 14. Earlier, Governor C.H. Vijayashankar told the Assembly that the state moves steadily toward regulated mining, with three projects approved and 20 more nearing clearance. Rat-hole mining has been banned by the National Green Tribunal since April 2014, a ban upheld by the Supreme Court.