SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, April 19: A few irate villagers torched the JCB machine of the coal mafia over illegal mining in the closed Madhuban Colliery mines of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) under Kharkhari OP, around 26 km away from the district headquarters on Monday night (April 18).
The eyewitnesses said that the clash occurred when the coal mafia started mining in the closed mines of Madhuban Colliery near Pandubhita Basti in the evening. When the villagers protested, the henchmen of the coal mafia fired shots and hurled bombs to scare them.
Rattled by firing and bombing villagers went on a rampage and burnt a JCB machine deployed in illegal mining. Having seen strong protests from villagers, the henchmen of the coal mafia ran away from the spot.
Official sources said that the coal mafia henchmen exploded four crude bombs and fired 17 rounds in the air to scare villagers. However, there was no report of injury in the incident.
This was the first time villagers had protested against illegal mining in the colliery of BCCL and Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL). Generally, villagers are blamed for involvement in illegal mining.
After getting information police personnel of Madhuban, Baghmara, and Katras police stations reached the spot at night and investigated the incident.
Kharkhari OP in-charge Dinesh Munda today said that no one has lodged a complaint about the clash. Since a JCB machine was torched, police are investigating the incident.
A resident of Pandubhita Basti told media persons that owing to illegal mining by the coal mafia, not only villagers are being defamed but the safety of the village is also under threat. “A syndicate of outsiders is involved in this illegal mining. He has a nexus with local police, CISF in this illegal mining. That is why he even uses JCB machines for illegal mining,” said the resident.
