NEW DELHI, July 9 -- The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has stepped up its crackdown on illegal coal mining and transportation, recovering over 428 metric tonnes of illegally mined and stored coal in Jharkhand and West Bengal between July 4 and 8.
The recoveries were made during intelligence-driven raids conducted in coalfields operated by Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) as part of the Government of India's "Zero Coal Leakage" campaign.
The operations were carried out in coordination with Coal India subsidiaries, local police and district administrations to curb illegal mining, theft and unauthorised storage and transportation of coal.
During the five-day operation, the CISF registered four FIRs and seized one Hyva truck, more than 13 motorcycles and other equipment allegedly used in illegal mining and transport activities.
Of the total 428.34 tonnes of coal recovered, the largest seizure of 319.54 tonnes was made from the BCCL coalfields in Dhanbad. The recovery followed intelligence-based raids supported by drone surveillance and field verification. A coal-laden truck and several motorcycles used for transporting stolen coal were also seized.
In Sheetalpur under ECL, the CISF recovered 85.93 tonnes of illegally mined and stocked coal after inspecting coal depots, weighbridges and transit counters and verifying production and dispatch records.
Special operations in CCL's Piparwar area led to the recovery of 13.62 tonnes of hidden coal from a Hyva truck, while another 9.25 tonnes was seized in CCL Kargali, where seven motorcycles used for illegal mining were also impounded.
The CISF said it is using human intelligence, drone surveillance and GPS-based monitoring to curb illegal coal activities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.