CISF Seizes Five Trucks Carrying 199 Tonnes of Illegal Coal in Hazaribagh
Coal was allegedly smuggled from NTPC’s Badam Coal Mining Project area
BY AJAY NIRALA
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has seized five trucks carrying approximately 199 metric tonnes of illegally transported coal near 15 Mile in the Charhi police station area of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. The operation was conducted against suspected coal smuggling from NTPC’s Badam Coal Mining Project area during the intervening night of October 22 and 23.
The drivers of all five trucks escaped under the cover of darkness and dense forest, leaving the vehicles behind.
CISF Lays Ambush, Intercepts Five Trucks
Acting on credible intelligence about the illegal transportation of coal from the Badam area, the CISF unit deployed at NTPC-CMP, Hazaribagh, launched a special operation under the direction of Deputy Commandant Suresh G. and the leadership of Assistant Commandant Sanjeev Kumar Meena.
CISF personnel laid an ambush near 15 Mile in the Charhi area at around 10 pm on October 22. When five trucks approaching from the Badam side were spotted late at night, the team alerted the Quick Reaction Team (QRT).
The QRT subsequently cordoned off the area and intercepted all five trucks at approximately 2:30 am on October 23.
However, the drivers managed to flee, taking advantage of the darkness and surrounding forest.
A search of the vehicles revealed that none of the five trucks carried valid documents authorising the transportation of coal.
199 Tonnes of Coal Confirmed After Weighing
Following the seizure, all five trucks were escorted under CISF security to the weighbridge at NTPC, Hazaribagh. Weighing confirmed that the vehicles were carrying a combined total of approximately 199 metric tonnes of coal.
Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
CISF officials said information provided by local villagers played an important role in the operation.
The force reiterated its commitment to continuing action against illegal coal mining, transportation and storage in the region.
The seizure marks a significant enforcement action against suspected illegal coal transportation in the Badam mining project area, with further investigation expected to establish the source of the coal and identify those involved in the operation.
The writer of this article is Hazaribagh-based senior journalist Ajay Nirala, who is also the Bureau Chief of Ujjwal Duniya Newspaper
