New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has intensified its crackdown on illegal coal mining and pilferage in Jharkhand and West Bengal, recovering more than 10,000 tonnes of allegedly stolen coal and seizing vehicles during special operations since July, officials said on Friday.

The operations are being conducted under the Centre's "Zero Coal Leakage" initiative to prevent theft and pilferage of coal from mines secured by the paramilitary force in the two states.

The Union government recently authorised the CISF as the designated agency to carry out search and seizure operations under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to check coal theft from mines under its security cover.

Around 12,000 CISF personnel are deployed across 10 units in Jharkhand and West Bengal to protect coal mines and related installations.

Meanwhile, CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan reviewed the security arrangements during a three-day visit to the coal belts of the two states, which concluded on Friday. He interacted with CISF personnel and held meetings with senior officials, police and management of coal companies.

On September 16, Ranjan visited the Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) Sheetalpur unit in West Bengal, where he held discussions with the ECL management and the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner on strengthening coordination to combat illegal mining and coal pilferage.

He later visited Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in Dhanbad and interacted with more than 400 CISF personnel. He also met the BCCL CMD, Dhanbad SSP and local administration to discuss measures for achieving the zero-leakage objective.

The CISF said drone-assisted surveillance, surprise checks and other special operations had helped recover more than 10,000 tonnes of illegal or pilfered coal since July. Several vehicles and people involved in the alleged theft were also apprehended.

The Centre has also entrusted the CISF with security of the Amrapali open-cast mine in Chatra district of Jharkhand. The force will shortly take over its security.

During his visit to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Ranjan discussed a proposal for an MoU to conduct short-term courses for CISF personnel on mining safety and security and cybersecurity.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.