In a bid to clamp down on organized coal theft and illicit trade, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is set to officially take over the security apparatus of the Amrapali Open Cast Project in Chatra district on September 18. Situated within the North Karanpura Coalfield, Amrapali is among the state’s largest and most productive coal blocks, churning out nearly 70,000 tonnes of coal daily. The Centre’s decision to deploy paramilitary boots on the ground follows persistent reports and intelligence inputs flagging large-scale coal diversion and unauthorized mining syndicates active in the coal belt.
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DG’s Jharkhand Visit To Launch Security Setup
The Director General of the CISF is scheduled to arrive in Ranchi on Thursday, September 18, to formally inaugurate the overhauled security grid at the mega-mining project. To kick off operations, a contingent of 200 armed personnel has already been stationed on site, with senior officials indicating that the deployment will be scaled up in phases. In addition, an exclusive post of the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) has been carved out to closely supervise perimeter security, escort logistics, and tactical deployment across the mine area.
Multi-Agency Offensive To Plug ₹2,000-Crore Leakage
The strategic takeover comes in the backdrop of serious concerns voiced by the Union Home Minister during a recent high-level review in New Delhi regarding coal pilferage across Jharkhand. The Centre subsequently directed a dedicated ‘Zero Coal Leakage’ drive, granting CISF wider operational powers to intercept unauthorized transport and detain suspects. An internal intelligence assessment revealed that coal worth upwards of ₹2,000 crore is siphoned off annually from the contiguous Magadh and Amrapali mines spanning Chatra and Hazaribagh districts. To stem this massive loss to the exchequer, a coordinated joint task force comprising the CISF, Jharkhand Police, and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) authorities has been operationalized.
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