New Delhi, Feb. 11 -- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that 18 workers died after a blast at an illegal coal mine in Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya on February 5, the commission said in an official statement.

Reportedly, the incident has left several others trapped at unspecified depths.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Meghalaya, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks, it added.

The report is expected to include the status of rescue operatio...