Lagatar24 Desk
Bokaro: A large-scale illegal coal business operating in Bhojudih has been exposed following a major raid conducted on the instructions of the Bokaro Deputy Commissioner (DC) on July 3. The raid resulted in the seizure of approximately 7000 tonnes of illegally stocked coal and has raised serious questions about the alleged patronage of the local police in the illicit trade.
DC-Ordered Raid Exposes Inaction
The seized coal, belonging to a company named JSR Enterprises, was reportedly leftover stock from railway rack unloading that had been collected and stored without a valid license. The fact that the raid had to be initiated at the DC’s behest, with no prior action taken by the local police, strongly suggests a lack of seriousness and potential complicity on their part. This inaction is seen by many as a key enabler of the widespread illegal coal trade in the region.
Illegal Mining and Modus Operandi
According to sources, besides the illegal stocking, large-scale illegal coal mining is also rampant in Bhojudih, allegedly masterminded by a kingpin named Ajay. The illegally extracted coal is reportedly stored in nearby forests before being dispatched to factories in West Bengal. The common modus operandi involves mixing the illegally mined coal with a small, legally procured quantity. The entire consignment is then transported using the paperwork of the legal coal, with local police and other department officials allegedly turning a blind eye. A few months ago, a similar raid conducted on the SDO’s instructions had also resulted in the seizure of illegal coal.
