Giridih Police conducted raid at Khandia Central pit to capture 30 tonnes of uncounted coal on Wednesday morning. Officer-in charge Ajay Sahu led the search operation. The operation was conducted on the directive of Dy SP Shambhu Singh to check theft of illegal coal business in various parts of Giridih District.
Coal smuggling is on rise in Khandia and adjacent areas despite claims by the district administration officials that illegal mining has been brought under control. Sources said rebels groups have doubled the protection money they receive from coal smugglers from 15 to 25 per cent .The coal traders have now adopted a novel methods of illegally mining coal from the Khandia- central pits basins where they have dug up permanent tunnels hidden under a thin layer of soil .The coal is transported by bullock carts and by tractors to dump along the national highway.
Extraction of coal is rampant in several closed mines ,which operate in these areas ,have declare about a dozen mines dangerous and stopped mining activities in it. Taking advantage of the loopholes, coal mafia have lure poverty -stricken villagers to take to coal mining in the abandoned mines. The workers often go deep inside tunnels dug in closed mines without observing any of the safety norms .Ironically, since the villagers are engaged in an illegal act their relatives often keep mum after their near and dear ones die in the course of such acts. Sources said, coal traders purchase coal from villagers at throwaway prices and get it transported on bicycle to their depots.