400 coal thieves attack CISF team, jawans fire in air

DHANBAD ( JHARKHAND): Over 400 suspected coal thieves, armed with traditional weapons and allegedly stealing coal from Kapasara colliery near Jharkhand-West Bengal boarder, today charged at CISF patrolling team who fired five rounds in air to thwart their attack, police said.

According to police, over 400 coal thieves, equipped with traditional weapons, were stealing coal from Eastern Coalfield Ltd's (ECL) Kapasara colliery.

When a patrolling party of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) challenged them, the coal thieves first pelted stones and later charged at them with lathis, police said, adding that they also damaged the CISF patrolling vehicle.

In the attack, a CISF head constable, Sohan Jha, got injured, following which the CISF personnel fired five rounds in the air but the coal thieves also fired at them.

After receiving information, CISF Assistant Commandant Ravindra Chauhan, Inspector Balbir Singh and local police rushed to the spot with heavy forces for the rescue of patrolling party but the coal thieves had escaped before they reached.

An FIR has been lodged by CISF Assistant Sub Inspector Bablu Paswan, who was leading patrol party, at Galfarbari Outpost of Nirsa under which the colliery area falls.