BCCL Officials Assaulted by Coal Mafia During Inspection in Dhanbad
In a shocking incident highlighting the persistent threat of coal mafia activities, two senior officials from Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) were allegedly assaulted by local coal mafia members during an inspection at the Block-II project area, located approximately 40 kilometers from Dhanbad. The assault occurred late on Friday, escalating tensions in the region known for its coal mining operations.
Details of the Assault Incident
BCCL general manager (security) Hafizul Qureshi and block-II general manager Kumar Ranjiv had visited the area to investigate repeated damage to CCTV cameras over the past three days. As their vehicles arrived at the site, a group of men surrounded them. The attackers attempted to drag the duo out of their car, pushed the officers, and physically assaulted them, creating a volatile and dangerous situation.
Escalation and Attempted Abduction
The situation rapidly escalated as the officers tried to move towards Baghmara police station for safety. The attackers reportedly followed them, forcibly stopped their vehicle midway, and attempted to abduct the officers by trying to shift them into another vehicle. During this chaotic episode, the driver of the vehicle carrying the officers was also assaulted, adding to the severity of the attack.
Security Personnel Intervention
CISF commandant Pradeep Vishwakarma and inspector Rajeev Yadav were present at the site during the incident. One of the officers managed to escape and reached the police station, leading to security personnel rescuing Qureshi. Both officers were then escorted to the regional office of the project, where they received necessary assistance and support.
Officer Statements and FIR Registration
Qureshi claimed that the attackers knew them by name and verbally abused them before trying to assault them. He emphasized, “Timely intervention by police and CISF prevented a more serious outcome.” Based on BCCL chairman-cum-managing director Manoj Agarwal’s complaint, an FIR was lodged at Baghmara police station on Saturday against Pintu Mahtha and 15 other unidentified persons in connection with the incident.
Police Response and Investigation
Baghmara subdivisional police officer Purushottam Singh stated, “A case has been registered, and raids are being conducted. Efforts are on to identify and arrest the accused.” As of Saturday evening, no arrests had been made, but authorities are actively pursuing leads to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure safety in the area.
