Ranchi, March 2: After showing the door to defiant Bokaro MLA Samresh Singh, the Arjun Munda government now intends to put a check on other “stubborn” politicians of the coal belt by slapping through the Crime Control Act.

A directive from the union coal ministry to improve the health of ailing coal companies based in the state through effective administration is likely to be used as a tool for settling the old scores.

Chief secretary Laxmi Singh organised a meeting of the senior officers yesterday to use the Crime Control Act, also referred to as Goonda Act in local parlance, to comply with the directive of the Centre.

According to the provision of the Act, the district administration can arrest the trouble-makers for a period of three months, which can be extended further. If the charges levelled against the person concerned stands scrutiny by the high court’s advisory board, it will lead to one-year imprisonment.

The persons against whom more than one criminal case is pending and the administration feels that they are inciting public tension can be put behind bars under this law. Their bail applications will not be considered for three months.

Some ministerial colleagues of Arjun Munda like Bachcha Singh are among the politicians operating in the coal belt who are likely to face the heat when the Crime Control Act is enforced.

Some Congress MLAs too could be affected by the implementation of the Act. Of late, other political parties like CPI-ML (Liberation) and JMM too have gained a foothold in the coal union.

Supporters of the politicians are engaged in different types of coal business. The dispute over bagging the contracts for rake loading often ends up in fierce gunbattles.

Bachcha Singh faces a dozen criminal cases related to theft of coal. “When I am engaged in power politics, I will have to face such charges. I have faith in the judiciary,” he argued.

He refused to comment on the government’s move to book the coal mafias under the Crime Control Act. “The government is free to do anything, but they must ensure that innocent people are not harassed unnecessarily,” Singh asked.