Bokaro: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Sunday seized a school van allegedly being used to transport tonnes of illegally mined coal in the Bermo subdivision of Bokaro district.The vehicle was intercepted near Avadh Cinema Hall and Phusro flyover while carrying the illegal coal. The van had a sticker on its rear suggesting it was meant to be used as a school vehicle.The seizure comes amid an intensified CISF crackdown on illegal coal mining and transportation linked to Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) mines in the Bermo subdivision. The force has stepped up area-domination patrols, intelligence-based raids and surveillance to curb illegal coal movement.Over the past week, security personnel have demolished several illegal rat-hole mines, seized vehicles allegedly involved in coal transportation and recovered thousands of tonnes of illegally mined coal during operations across CCL mining areas.CISF officials said the latest action followed intelligence inputs and was part of a sustained drive to disrupt the network involved in illegal coal mining, transportation and smuggling.“The seized van and coal were handed over to Bermo police for further legal action. Authorities are also initiating proceedings under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. CISF has been conducting frequent raids in the Kargali and Bermo areas following the grant of enhanced powers under MMDR Act,” said a CISF official.
