CISF Recovers 10,000 Tonnes of Illegal Coal from Jharkhand, Bengal Mines in Two Months
Special anti pilferage operations target organised coal theft as CISF chief reviews security arrangements at key mining sites.
NEW DELHI, Sep 18: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has recovered more than 10,000 tonnes of illegally mined or pilfered coal during special operations carried out over the past two months in Jharkhand and West Bengal, officials said on Friday.
The operations were launched to curb coal theft and pilferage from mines protected by the central security force. The Union government recently authorised the CISF as the designated agency to conduct search and seizure operations under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The move followed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s direction in July for the force to undertake a ‘zero coal leakage’ campaign against organised groups and criminals involved in stealing coal from mining areas.
Around 12,000 CISF personnel have been deployed across 10 mining units in Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of efforts to strengthen security and prevent organised coal theft.
CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan completed a three-day visit to the mining areas of both states on Friday. During his tour, he reviewed security arrangements, interacted with personnel deployed at the sites and held discussions with senior officials and management representatives of coal-producing companies.
The DG visited Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) facilities in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, as well as Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) at Sheetalpur in Asansol, West Bengal.
Officials said the force has recovered over 10,000 tonnes of coal since July, with the seized material estimated to be worth several crores of rupees. Several vehicles and individuals allegedly involved in the illegal movement of coal have also been apprehended during the operations.
Security responsibilities for the Amrapali open-cast mine in Chatra district of Jharkhand have also been assigned to the CISF, further expanding the force’s role in protecting critical mining infrastructure.
During his Jharkhand visit, Ranjan also inspected IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The CISF is planning to conduct short-term training programmes there covering mining safety and security, along with cybersecurity, for its personnel.
The latest operations are part of wider efforts to strengthen surveillance at coal mines, prevent resource leakage and improve security coordination between the force and mining companies.
