Jharsuguda Police Crack Down on Coal Transport Extortion Racket; Five Arrested, Cash and Seals Seized
Jharsuguda : In a significant crackdown on illegal extortion in the coal transport sector, Lakhanpur Police late Wednesday night arrested five persons, including former Brajrajnagar Municipality Chairman Nand Kishor Agrawal, for allegedly extorting money from truck drivers transporting coal from Lakhanpur coal mines.
According to police sources, the arrested individuals have been identified as Nand Kishor Agrawal (65), a resident of Lamtibahal, Stifen Paramanik (48) of Kutabaga, Amrendra Singh (50) of Ramgarh, all three of Brajrajnagar while Sujit Kerketta (40) of Jamkani and Sashi Dhar Chouhan (42) of Belpahar.
The arrests were made following a written complaint filed on June 18 at 11:45 AM by Sunny Ram (36), a truck driver and resident of Biru village in Simdega district, Jharkhand. As per the FIR, the complainant alleged that while transporting coal in his truck he was forced to pay a sum of ₹145 per truck by a group of men, including Amrendra Singh, before his challan could be issued.
Ram alleged that when he approached them to enquire, the accused verbally abused, manhandled, and threatened to kill him if he refused to pay. They reportedly told him the collection was being done on behalf of Nand Kishor Agrawal, who, they claimed, was backed by several influential individuals. Fearing consequences, Ram paid the demanded amount and had his truck challan stamped with an unauthorized seal marked “LSS” on their slips before challans were issued.
The complainant further stated that such illegal collections had been ongoing at the New Parking area near Jurabaga under Lakhanpur Block for a long time. Seeking immediate legal action, he approached Lakhanpur Police.
Lakhanpur Police registered the case and investigated the matter and arrested five persons including former Brajrajnagar Municipality Chairman Nand Kishor Agrawal and forwarded to court. Police also sized, one register containing truck details, one rubber seal marked “LSS”, Five additional rubber stamps of various transporters, two ink pads (red and blue), Cash amounting to Rs. 73,080/-, Seven mobile phones, One Hyundai i20 car and Three motorcycles
Jharsuguda SP Smith P Parmar Said, “Jharsuguda Police reiterates its firm resolve to dismantle organized criminal networks operating under fear and coercion. Strong legal action has been initiated, and further investigation is ongoing to trace additional operatives and financial beneficiaries involved in this illegal enterprise.”
