Bhadrak: Reacting to reports that a massive coal smuggling racket is active in Bhadrak district, SP Rajesh Pandit checked out some locations like the Bhattatira railway station and the Dhamra coal loading point Wednesday.
The SP got into a goods train to understand the modus operandi of locals who pilfer coal. Some local youths are involved in the racket and everyday coal is being stolen from goods trains.
There were reports that those involved in the racket climb electricity poles and pull out coal from trains as they pass.
Coal is being stolen in villages like Sherpur, Palia, Chatrapada, Manipur, Biriharpur, Balasahi, Subudhia, Nuagan and Bansada. The SP was shocked to see how local people were packing coal stacked along rail tracks. The SP’s visit has created fear among coal racketeers in the area.
Pandit has directed the police officials to keep a strict vigil on miscreants and vehicles involved in the racket.
A few days ago the SP had suspended the OIC of Sabarnag outpost for the latter’s alleged links with the coal mafia.
There are allegations that the mafia is carrying out its business by paying regular commissions to police personnel, the Railway Protection Force and railway authorities.
Stock points of illegally supplied coal were found at Shyamsundarpur and Balikhand in Simulia block of Balasore and Barapur in Bhadrak.
Coal is being smuggled from various mines of the state too. Locals pilfer coal from goods trains going from Bhadrak to Dhamra port.
The coal racket is thriving in the area as the mineral is in high demand in brick kilns of Sathipur and Remuna and some pockets of Bhadrak.
5 arrested
Tihidi: Police Thursday arrested five people who were involved in coal theft from five wagons at Jijharpur under Tihidi police limits in Bhadrak district a few days ago. Police had registered a case against 25 persons in this regard. The arrested were identified as Mahadev Mallick of Hatuari, Suresh Jena, Rabinarayan Jena, Ramesh Jena and Nirakar Jena of Nunadar. Police also seized 25 sacks of stolen coal from Mahadev’s house. A goods train was carrying coal from Dhamnagar to Bhadrak August 29. Some people had opened five bogies and looted the coal. They had also attacked a security guard on the train.
PNN