A total of 200 tonne coal was seized in Hazaribagh district and seven police personnel were suspended for dereliction of duties, days after reports came of coal being ferried by bicycles illegally in large scale.
Heading the Special Task Force late last night, Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police Manoj Kaushik conducted raids at several places and seized six coal-laden tractors at Napo village under Barkagaon police station of the district.
Kaushik said the coal was being transported after illegal mining, adding an FIR was registered against illegal mining after arresting seven persons.
"I have suspended the police patrolling team headed by assistant sub-inspector Rajmani Singh and six constables of the team on (the ground of) dereliction of duty immediately," he said.
Showcause notices were served to them asking why they should not be dismissed from service on dereliction of duties despite instructions, the SP said.
The Central Control, which deals in patrolling duty, has been asked to inquire into the matter, he said.
The action, which came days after a media report highlighted how illegally mined coal was being transported through bicycles in the coal belt in a large scale, would be a warning to other police personnel posted in the coal belt, the SP said.
A similar report from Dumka quoting Deputy Superintendent of Police A K Srivastav said the police today discovered several metres long shafts illegally dug by coal mafia in the coal-rich Shikaripara area of Dumka district.
"The Task Force comprising SDO S N Ram, DFO S K Suman, District Mining Officer Suresh Sharma and the police personnel raided the place and found the shafts," he said adding the culprits managed to escape, however.
