Elephant menace forces Central Coalfields Limited to halt night ops in Ramgarh coal mine

Ramgarh: The Central Coalfields Limited (CIL) has stopped night operations in Sarubera coal mine in Kuju area to protect its employees from a rampaging elephant herd roaming in the vicinity.The preventive measure was put in place after the herd reportedly trampled four people to death, including a CCL security guard, near the mine and its residential colonies in Mandu block in the past 48 hours.R K Sinha, general manager of CCL’s Kuju coal project, said night shift was halted in the mine for safety of miners and the officials. “We are reviewing the situation with consultation of state authorities. Till then, there will be no mining activity in Sarubera project mines which is near to the spot where elephants trampled four people to death.”

Over 200 people work in the Sarubera coal mine, officials said.Kumar added, “An advisory has been issued for CCL employees and residential colony residents to avoid roaming during night and take precautions to stay safe.”A 32-year-old CCL security guard, two elderly women and a commuter were killed by the herd since Tuesday.With the herd still roaming the area, forest officials have urged locals to avoid venturing outside their homes after sunset.

The herd, officials said, are also venturing into populated areas.Several coal projects of CCL in Ramgarh district, including Kedla project, Sarubera project and Karma project, fall under identified elephant corridors.Divisional forest officer Nitish Kumar said quick response teams have been deployed to monitor the movement of the herd and drive the away from human settlements.