Hazaribagh, March 31: A meeting has been called by the district administration to make concrete plans to curb rising incidents of coal smuggling in the area.

Deputy commissioner Arun Kumar Singh and superintendent of police Neeraj Sinha took part in the two-hour-long meeting with several officers of the forest department and Central Coal Field Limited (CCL).

According to officials, illegal mining has to be tackled first to stop smuggling of coal. The officers present in the meeting were of the opinion that if illegal mining continues it would be impossible to stop the coal smuggling.

The decision was taken to use “physical resistance” in the mines. The officers suggested blasting and bulldozing of abandoned mines and filling them with water.

But CCL officers said after the blasting, the illegal miners resume their work within a week by removing the clay. They added that it would not stop the practice effectively and added that it is possible only by closing such mines for at least six months.

CCL officers also drew attention towards the scarcity of security personnel. They said it was not possible to stop villagers from excavating due to the lack of adequate security personnel. District administration and police officials have assured the officials help to curb illegal mining.

According to forest and CCL officers, a gang called Farsa Party has been involved in illegal mining and transportation of coal to other districts.

Superintendent of police Neeraj Sinha has assured CCL and forest officers of his assistance.