Bokaro
A joint team of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) launched a major crackdown on illegal coal mining and smuggling at the DC-CPL patch of the Karo project under CCL’s B&K area on Saturday.
The operation was conducted on the basis of intelligence inputs and was led by CCL General Manager Sanjay Kumar Jha. The joint team comprising personnel from CISF and the CCL security department raided several suspected locations and recovered illegally mined coal that had been stocked at various concealed sites.
The recovered coal was being shifted to a secure location under the supervision of security personnel. The team also seized around 45 motorcycles allegedly being used for transporting and smuggling illegally mined coal.
As the joint team reached the spot, those allegedly involved in the illegal activities fled into the nearby dense forest, taking advantage of the terrain. No arrests were reported during the operation.
Speaking to the media after the raid, General Manager Sanjay Kumar Jha said the company had been receiving continuous complaints over the past several days regarding large-scale coal theft from the DC-CPL patch and surrounding areas.
He said illegal mining and coal theft were causing substantial financial losses to CCL and depriving the state government of significant revenue.
“Protection of the company’s property is our top priority. Strict and extensive operations against illegal mining and coal theft will continue in the future,” Jha said.
CCL officials said security agencies would continue surveillance and enforcement operations in vulnerable areas to curb illegal mining and transportation of coal.
