CISF crackdown on illegal coal mining, theft and transportation

Pioneer News Service
Ranchi

In a major push for the Government of India’s “Zero Coal Leakage” initiative, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has intensified its crackdown on illegal coal mining, theft, and unauthorized transportation under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).

Following the recent legal empowerment of designated CISF officers under Sections 22, 23B, and 24 of the MMDR Act, the force launched a series of high-intensity, intelligence-driven operations. Conducted between July 4 and July 8, 2026, these actions were executed in close coordination with local police, district administrations, and Coal India subsidiaries across vulnerable mining belts in Jharkhand and West Bengal.

The four-day enforcement drive resulted in the recovery of 428.34 metric tonnes of illicit coal, the registration of four FIRs, and the apprehension of multiple offenders. Authorities also seized a heavy-duty Hyva truck, more than 13 motorcycles, and various specialized tools used for illegal extraction and transit.

Subsidiary Breakdown: Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Dhanbad: Utilizing drone surveillance and field intelligence, the CISF conducted sweeping raids across the Katras, Sijua, and Govindpur areas. This sector yielded the largest haul, with 319.54 metric tonnes of illegally stored coal recovered alongside several seized transport vehicles.

Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Sheetalpur: Operations spanning Rajmahal, Salanpur, and Sonepur-Bazari led to the recovery of 85.93 metric tonnes of coal. Officers audited weighbridges, verified statutory transit manifests, and apprehended several trespassers.

Central Coalfields Limited (CCL): At the Piparwar zone, routine transit checks successfully intercepted a Hyva truck hauling 13.62 metric tonnes of concealed illegal coal. Separately, special operations at the Kargali hub recovered 9.25 metric tonnes of extracted mineral and seized seven motorcycles.

To breach sophisticated theft rings, the CISF deployed an advanced tactical mix of human intelligence, drone surveillance, GPS-enabled documentation, and surprise depot audits.

Moving forward, the CISF reconfirmed its commitment to working alongside the Ministry of Coal, State Governments, and law enforcement agencies. Officials stated that the enforcement drive will continue with renewed vigor, warning that stringent legal proceedings under the MMDR Act will be strictly enforced against any individuals participating in the illegal storage, mining, or black-market tracking of national mineral resources.