CISF Recovers 428 Tonnes of Illegal Coal in Massive Jharkhand and West Bengal Crackdown

NEW DELHI, July 09, 2026: In a significant breakthrough for the Government of India’s “Zero Coal Leakage” initiative, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has aggressively intensified its enforcement operations against illegal coal mining, theft, unauthorized storage, and illicit transportation across major coalfields in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Acting under the strict provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957, the CISF spearheaded a series of intelligence-driven operations in close coordination with local police, district administrations, and subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. The targeted sweep resulted in the recovery of over 428 metric tonnes of illegally mined and stored coal, the registration of four First Information Reports (FIRs), and the seizure of multiple vehicles and heavy equipment utilized by the offenders.

Executed across the operational areas of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), the sweeping crackdown seamlessly integrated high-tech drone surveillance, real-time human intelligence, surprise site inspections, and rigorous transit-route monitoring. This multi-layered enforcement strategy has not only reinforced transparency across the sector but also successfully safeguarded the nation’s valuable mineral resources from black-market exploitation. Reaffirming its mandate, the CISF stated it remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting critical national assets and will continue to leverage proactive enforcement and robust inter-agency coordination to completely curb illegal mining activities.