Ranchi Police, under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), conducted a surprise raid on Wednesday afternoon at the KDH coal project site in Khalari, located within the NK Area. The operation was initiated following a written complaint by a coal truck driver, who alleged that he was being forced to pay illegal charges in the name of Vishthapit Jan Samiti while lifting coal from the site. Based on this, a special task force formed by the SSP carried out the operation and detained six individuals involved in the extortion racket.
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Among those apprehended were Pradeep Ganjhu and Sanjay Ganjhu, reportedly associated with local displaced committees. Also detained were four so-called coal “lifters”, Abdul Ansari, Pawan Thakur, Pali Ansari, and Dhiru Chandravanshi. The police seized Rs. 65,000 in cash, six mobile phones, five motorcycles, and various unauthorized receipts, seals, and tokens used for extortion.
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According to sources, those detained were allegedly extorting money from truck drivers under the guise of representing local displacement committees or extremist groups, with some funds suspected to be channeled towards terror-linked activities. Reports suggest that around Rs. 120 per ton was being illegally collected in the name of insurgent outfits, and as much as Rs. 5,500 per truck was being extorted. A portion of this money, police believe, was used to finance extremist actions, including threats and violent attacks in the area.
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Initial investigation indicates that the KDH coal dump, part of the broader NK Piparwar Area, has been a major hub for such illegal activities. In previous intelligence reports, central investigative agencies had identified around 70 individuals involved in similar rackets, some of whom are reportedly out on parole and posing as political leaders. The police have confirmed that a deeper investigation is underway. “Anyone found innocent will be released after questioning, but strict legal action will be taken against those proven guilty,” a senior police official stated.
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This raid forms part of a larger campaign by the Jharkhand Police to curb organized extortion and potential terror funding in the coal-rich regions of the state. The crackdown has triggered panic across coal project areas, especially in Piparwar and Khalari, which are now under intense security monitoring. The authorities have also hinted at further actions targeting those who have accumulated unaccounted wealth through such illegal networks, including individuals who have long operated under the cover of social organizations.
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