Truck owners in Jharkhand’s Amrapali Coal Project allege daily illegal extortion of Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 per truck by a fake union. Despite complaints to police and officials, no action has been taken. The racket also involves coal smuggling to other states, causing huge revenue loss.
Widespread illegal extortion and coal smuggling from the Amrapali Coal Project in Tandwa, Chatra district, have come under sharp criticism from local truck operators. Accusing the local police and some Coal India (CCL) officials of inaction and possible involvement, the transporters have approached Jharkhand DGP to demand immediate intervention. According to truck owners, a fake vehicle owners union has been operating inside the Amrapali project area for months, collecting Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 per truck daily as illegal fees. The racket, they claim, generates Rs. 2 to Rs. 3 lakh every single day. Despite multiple complaints, truckers claim no action taken by police, resulting illegal extortion and coal trafficking causing revenue loss and rising unrest.
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Complaints Ignored Despite Repeated Appeals
Truckers revealed that they had already submitted written complaints on 11th June 2025 to the Tandwa Police Station, Sub-Divisional Police Office (SDPO) Tandwa, Chatra SP, and Amrapali project officials. However, no visible action has been taken so far, further deepening their frustration. The operators said they had resolved collectively to stop paying the illegal money, but were still being forced to comply. Vehicles refusing to pay are denied ‘loader slips’, an official documents required to load coal thereby preventing them from operating. This unfair practice is disrupting business and causing financial loss.
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Misuse of Loader Slips to Enforce Extortion
In the past, loader slips were issued directly by CCL. However, truckers allege that the control over these slips has now been unofficially handed over to the fake union. A group of around 10 to 15 individuals allegedly oversees the collection, using the loader slips as a tool for extortion. If a driver does not pay the demanded amount, the slip is withheld, resulting in his truck being unable to load coal. Many truck owners suspect a strong nexus between the union, certain police officials, and project management staff.
History of Irregularities Continues
The Amrapali project has faced corruption allegations since its early days. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier carried out crackdowns that temporarily halted illegal activities. However, the extortion and coal trafficking have reportedly resumed, stronger and more organized than before.
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Smuggling Racket Spreads Across Districts
In a related concern, illegal coal consignments are being smuggled out of Jharkhand using fake invoices and documents. Sources reveal that coal-laden trucks move through various police jurisdictions, Tandwa, Simaria, Sadar, Vishisht Nagar, and Hunterganj without interruption, allegedly due to collusion with local enforcement agencies. Truckloads of coal are reportedly transported to neighboring Bihar and other states. Escort vehicles, including motorcycles and four-wheelers, guide these illegal shipments through the routes, avoiding checks.
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Past Actions, But No Long-Term Impact
While district task forces have occasionally seized vehicles, arrests have not significantly disrupted the illegal network. On 23rd May, three trucks loaded with illegal coal were seized near the Bihar border at Ghorighat by Pratappur police. Nine people were arrested, along with an escorting Scorpio vehicle. On 13th June, a coal-laden truck was seized on Nima Road by the Quick Response Team (QRT) under SP’s directive. Over the past month, 14 coal-laden trucks and escort vehicles have been seized and 13 individuals arrested. Most recently, on 25th June, forest officials intercepted 10 illegal coal trucks near Chatra-Bagra road and arrested four individuals, along with a WagonR used for escorting. Despite these occasional raids, no strong, consistent action has been taken to dismantle the larger network.
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MLA Promised Support
Truckers have also approached Simaria MLA Ujjwal Das, who has assured them of taking necessary steps if the administration fails to act. He acknowledged their grievances and said such extortion cannot be allowed to continue under any circumstances.
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