Four people died in an illegal coal mining accident at CCL’s Karma project in Ramgarh, Jharkhand. The district administration has ordered a probe, while political leaders blamed government negligence. Protests erupted at the site demanding compensation and strict action.
In a tragic incident early Saturday (05th July 2025) morning, four men lost their lives when a part of an abandoned coal mine collapsed in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, in the Karma project area of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). The collapse occurred during illegal coal mining, sending shockwaves through the district and sparking public outrage and political criticism. According to official reports, the deceased were residents of nearby Mahua Tungri village, who had allegedly entered the CCL lease area in the Kuju region to extract coal illegally. During the illegal excavation, a portion of the mine wall gave way, burying four people under debris.
Villagers managed to recover three of the bodies and took them away before authorities arrived. One body remained at the site and was used by protesters to block the area in a demand for compensation and accountability. Police and administrative officials rushed to the spot, and rescue operations were launched.
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District Administration Takes Action
Deputy Commissioner Faiyaz Aq Ahmad Mumtaz, who visited the spot, stated that a high-level investigation will be conducted, and strict action will be taken against those responsible. He expressed concern that despite recent warnings issued to prevent such incidents, illegal mining activities continue unchecked.
“Just last month, in a district-level mining task force meeting, we had given clear instructions to stop such incidents from happening,” the DC said. “Still, this tragic event occurred. We will issue show-cause notices to CCL officials, including the General Manager of the area.”
He also noted that a directive had been issued earlier to CCL to deploy CISF jawans for mine security, but alleged that the company failed to act on it.
BJP Leader Babulal Marandi Demanded Action
Reacting sharply to the incident, BJP State President and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi blamed the state government for its failure to stop illegal mining and ensure the safety of lives. He demanded a high-level probe and said that this was not merely an accident but a result of negligence and corruption. In a social media post, Marandi wrote, “This is not an accident, this is murder. The government has turned a blind eye to this black business happening in broad daylight. Until when will the poor people of Jharkhand keep dying like this?”
He further alleged that illegal mining mafias operate under police and political protection, and questioned why abandoned mines are not properly secured if mining has officially been stopped.
Also Read: CBI Raided Giddi-C Coal Project Over Illegal Local Sales
A Wake-Up Call for Corporates
The DC’s strong words and strict orders highlight a growing frustration with corporate inaction in tackling environmental and economic crimes like illegal coal mining. The administration now expects full cooperation and immediate action from CCL and Tata Steel to restore lawful operations and protect public resources. This bold move by DC sets the tone for stricter governance and could serve as a warning to other companies operating in sensitive areas across Jharkhand.
