SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb 21: The Dhanbad district administration has been rattled by a slanging war between two senior employees over coal theft, the first of its kind in the district.
Circle Officer (CO) Ram Pravesh Kumar has accused the officer-in-charge of the Baliapur police station Sweta Kumari of being involved in coal theft and has voiced fear for his safety if he checks the illicit coal deal.
Taking the allegation seriously, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sandip Singh has directed a probe against the Baliapur police station officer in charge for her alleged involvement in the coal theft in the area.
The DC told media persons that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) has been written to conduct a probe over allegations against the police officer.
Since the district administration has launched a massive drive against illegal coal mining and coal theft along with coal companies management and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the allegation on a police officer has rattled the top brasses.
“A committee of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) has been set up to investigate the allegation and counter allegation of the CO and police station officer-in-charge. After getting the report by the committee, an action would be taken,” said SSP Sanjiv Kumar.
Baliapur CO Ram Pravesh Kumar has alleged that Baliapur police station officer-in-charge Sweta Kumari not only collects money from the coal thieves through her relatives but also releases seized illegal coal loaded trucks from the police station. He also charged that he had seized trucks with illegal coal and handed them over to the police station but she released them without lodging any FIR.
“Since on the directive of the district administration I am spearheading a campaign against coal theft, the coal smugglers intercepted me and threatened but no police action has been taken against them,” he said.
However, police officer Sweta Kumari denied the allegation and said that any illegal coal trading is being done in her police station area.
“Whenever reports of coal theft come, action is duly taken,” she said.
