Ranchi, April 23: The inferno, which was raging at Pachuara coal block in Pakur district's Amrapara area for two days spawning theories of Maoist sabotage, was "brought under control" today.
The Eastern Minerals and Trading Agency (EMTA), one of the parent entities of Panem Coal Mines Limited that used to operate in the coal block till a Supreme Court order last year cancelled allocation, has pressed a fire tender into service along with 30 firemen. Officials said the team was equipped to put out the blaze soon.
Erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board and now Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, which was allotted Pachuara coal block in 2002 and floated Panem in a joint venture with EMTA, has agreed to share the expenses incurred in putting out the fire.
According to Pakur deputy commissioner Sulse Bakhla, more than 60,000 metric tonnes of coal extracted in the past lie dumped in Pachuara. SDO Vidya Nand Sharma said five of these caught fire around Tuesday, but no one seemed to know how. Over the next 24 hours, the flames engulfed another five dumps and even entered underground mining areas, triggering panic.
"There is no habitation near the colliery. The nearest village, Taljhari, is 3.5km away. But, we were apprehensive of the blaze spreading underground. We (district administration and police) do not have the technical expertise of fighting mine fires. Thus, a report was sent to EMTA and Punjab Power Corporation. They have taken prompt action," deputy commissioner Bakhla said.
SDO Sharma added, "The burning coal dumps were close to each other. Hence, a single fire tender has done the job."
Pakur SP Anoop Birtharay contended that illegal mining by semi-skilled workers, without anybody's patronage, was practically not feasible in Pachuara's unfriendly topography. "We do not rule out deliberate torching of the coal dumps," the SP said, stoking the Maoist conspiracy theory.
The CPI(Maoist) has long been championing the cause of families displaced by the Panem Coal Mines while hardened criminals too are known to extort contractors and transporters working for the company. A similar fire had broken out here a fortnight ago and had raged on for a week.
Ever since 33 coal blocks across the country, including the ones given to state-run power utilities, were de-allocated last year, Punjab Power has been struggling hard to retain Pachuara by depositing penalty amounts in the apex court. It is even learnt to be considering replacing its joint venture partner EMTA.
Rehabilitation of the displaced has been a cause of concern since this coal project surfaced. Sister Valsa John, who actively rendered social services in this area, was shot dead in November 2011. Seven Maoist supporters arrested in the case belonged to Pachuara.
In November 2012, JVM president Babulal Marandi too had begun an indefinite dharna at the Panem headquarters in Amrapara on the rehabilitation issue and justice for Sister Valsa. He had called off his agitation after being assured by the EMTA management of good deals to affected families. The latter, however, continue to remain deprived.
