Bokaro: Around 500 tonnes of illegally mined coal worth Rs 15.09 lakh were recovered during 115 raids in September in the Bermo belt, underscoring the continuing scale of illegal coal extraction and transport in one of Jharkhand’s key coal-producing regions, according to CISF.Personnel seized 27 vehicles allegedly used for illegal coal transportation, including 13 motorcycles, 10 bicycles, three pickup vehicles and an auto-rickshaw. Six complaints were filed directly before courts under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. The crackdown was carried out by CISF’s CCL Kargali unit, led by commandant Raj Pratap Singh.The September figures follow several seizures in Bermo this year. In July, CISF personnel recovered tonnes of illegal coal and seized two autos and two motorcycles in separate raids, including one conducted jointly with Bermo police and CCL security personnel. In August, a CISF-CCL operation at the Karo project led to the seizure of about 100 tonnes of illegal coal and 50 motorcycles, according to reports.“We are intensifying intelligence-based raids, vehicle checks and surveillance to prevent illegal mining and transportation. Our objective is not merely to seize coal and vehicles but to identify and dismantle the networks behind the illegal trade,” a CISF official said.CISF has intensified checking of coal-laden vehicles on roads and scrutiny of transport documents to detect illegally sourced coal. The force said action would continue in line with Centre’s “zero coal leakage” objective.“We will continue strict legal action against illegal coal transportation. Public participation is equally important. Information provided by citizens can help us identify storage points, transport routes and the people operating these networks,” said a CISF official.
