India, Feb. 7 -- Meghalaya Police have arrested two persons in connection with a blast in an illegal coal mine that claimed 18 lives, even as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma asserted that his Government would take stringent action against those responsible for the incident.

Director General of Police I Nongrang said that besides the two arrests, a third person has been identified in connection with the incident, and further investigation is underway. At least 18 people have been killed and eight others injured in an explosion at the illegal mine in the remote Thangsku area in the East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday.

Seven of the eight injured miners have been identified. Four are from Nepal, two from Assam and one is a local, another...