CISF intensifies operations against illegal coal mining
Intensifying its operations against illegal coal mining, the Central Industrial Security Force has in the past four days recovered over 428 metric tonne of coal
Intensifying its operations against illegal coal mining, the Central Industrial Security Force has in the past four days recovered over 428 metric tonne of coal being transported illegally in Jharkhand and West Bengal, a CISF official said on Thursday (July 9, 2026). In line with the government’s “zero coal leakage” initiative, the CISF has stepped up enforcement against illegal coal mining, theft, unauthorised storage and transportation under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), the official added.
Coordinated work Following the empowerment of designated CISF officers under Sections 22, 23B and 24 of the MMDR Act, CISF has launched intelligence-driven operations in coordination with Coal India subsidiaries, local police and district administration to safeguard national mineral resources and strengthen transparency in the coal sector. “Between July 4 and 8, 2026, CISF conducted coordinated operations across the coalfields of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The operations resulted in the recovery of 428.34 metric tonne of illegally mined, stored or transported coal, registration of four First Information Reports (FIR), seizure of one Hyva truck and more than 13 motorcycles and other equipment used in illegal mining and transportation, besides apprehension of offenders and initiation of legal proceedings under the MMDR Act,” the official added. The enforcement drive covered several vulnerable mining belts and coal transportation corridors.
The operations employed a combination of human intelligence, drone surveillance, transit-route monitoring, surprise inspections, verification of transportation documents, inspection of coal depots and weighbridges and GPS-enabled documentation.
The BriefWire