SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Feb 2: Despite the existence of a high-level task force comprised of district officials, coal companies, police officers, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to combat illegal mining, as well as a monthly review meeting led by the deputy commissioner, 24 people have died in the ECL and BCCL Nirsa area of Dhanbad mines in the last four years.
As per records, since 2019, altogether 22 persons have died in Kapasara closed mines of Eastern Coal field Limited (ECL) and two persons in Chanch Victoria Dahibari mines of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in illegal mining incidents.
During the last three years’ review meetings, all deputy commissioners announced that the concerned police station officer in-charge would be held responsible for unlawful mining incidents in their region and that action would be taken against him. However, no action has been taken against any police or coal company officers as of yet.
Interestingly the new Rural Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan had recently inspected Nirsa colliery areas of ECL and BCCL and had directed strict checking of illegal mining and coal theft in the region.
Following are the illegal mining incident casualties recorded in last four years:
| February 1, 2022 | 5 in Kapasara mines |
| December 21, 2021 | 1 |
| November 28, 2021 | 1 |
| October 10, 2021 | 1 |
| September 14, 2021 | 1 |
| July 24, 2020 | 1 |
| July 1, 2020 | 1 |
| February 13, 2020 | 2 |
| January 27, 2020 | 3 |
| October 22, 2019 | 1 |
| September 24 ,2019 | 1 |
| January 23, 2019 | 4 in Chach Victoriya Dahibari colliery project of BCCL
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