Bokaro Coal Plant Owner and Son Survive Targeted Shooting Attack
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the industrial community of Jharkhand, the owner of a coal processing plant and her son narrowly escaped a potentially fatal shooting attack on Wednesday night. The targeted assault occurred as the duo was returning home from their business premises, highlighting the dangerous undercurrents in the region's coal trade sector.
Dramatic Escape Near Upperghat
The terrifying episode unfolded near Upperghat under the jurisdiction of Pek Narayanpur police station, approximately 45 kilometres from Bokaro. Shiva Kumari (55), the plant owner, and her son Shivam Kumar were traveling in their car when four unidentified assailants riding two motorcycles attempted to intercept their vehicle around 11 pm in the Godonala area at Pilpilo.
According to the detailed complaint filed at Bokaro Thermal police station, the motorcycle riders signaled the car to stop as the mother-son duo was returning from their coal processing plant at Rama Hariya, named Coal Factory. Displaying remarkable presence of mind, their driver refused to slow down despite the assailants' demands, prompting the attackers to open fire on the moving vehicle.
Police Investigation Reveals Financial Motive
Two bullets struck the rear portion of the car, but miraculously, neither Shiva Kumari nor Shivam Kumar sustained any injuries in the shooting. After the attack, Shivam immediately drove to the Bokaro Thermal police station to report the incident, following which both were taken to DVC Hospital for thorough medical examination. Medical authorities confirmed both victims were completely unharmed.
In her official statement to investigators, Shiva Kumari made a startling revelation about the attack's possible motive. She claimed that a coal trader based in neighboring Dhanbad district had orchestrated the assault as part of an ongoing financial dispute. According to her account, this trader had been applying persistent pressure regarding monetary disagreements and was attempting to forcibly take control of her coal processing factory.
Police Response and Forensic Examination
Bokaro Superintendent of Police Harvinder Singh personally visited the shooting site hours after the incident to conduct a detailed inspection of the crime scene. Speaking about the ongoing investigation, Singh confirmed, "An FIR has been registered, and investigation is being carried out."
A senior police official involved in the case provided additional insights, stating, "Preliminary investigations suggest the firing was linked to a money dispute. The vehicle has been seized for forensic examination, and a special team has been formed to identify and arrest the accused." This specialized investigative team will focus on tracing the assailants and examining potential connections to the Dhanbad-based coal trader mentioned in the complaint.
Broader Implications for Industrial Security
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security environment surrounding industrial operations in the region, particularly in the coal sector where financial disputes sometimes escalate into violent confrontations. The fact that business owners traveling at night became targets of such brazen attacks has prompted discussions about enhanced security measures for industrial entrepreneurs.
Police authorities have assured the public that they are pursuing all available leads in the case and have intensified patrols in the area. The forensic examination of the bullet-riddled vehicle is expected to provide crucial evidence about the weapons used and potentially help identify the perpetrators through ballistic analysis.
As the investigation progresses, the Bokaro police department faces mounting pressure to quickly resolve this case and restore confidence among business owners operating in the region's industrial sectors. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the sometimes-volatile nature of business disputes in resource-intensive industries like coal processing.
