Masked Assailants Torch NCC Company Truck in Chatra's Amrapali Coal Project
In a brazen late-night attack, six unidentified men set ablaze a truck belonging to NCC company, an outsourcing firm operating in the Amrapali coal project area of the Magadh–Amrapali coalfield in Chatra district. The incident occurred near Kumrang Khurd Chaupal on Saturday around 11:30 pm, sending shockwaves through the local community and raising security concerns in the industrial zone.
Details of the Coordinated Attack
According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, masked assailants arrived at the project area dressed in plain clothes. They intercepted the parked truck and held the driver at gunpoint, forcing him to exit the vehicle. The attackers then proceeded to pour petrol over the truck before setting it on fire. Within minutes, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames, causing significant damage to company property.
While local law enforcement officials have not officially linked this attack to any specific extremist organization, workers in the area have suggested that the assault was carefully planned in advance. The timing and execution of the incident indicate a level of coordination that has alarmed both company officials and local residents.
Extremist Groups Issue Threats Against Coal Companies
The banned extremist organization TSPC (Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee) has claimed responsibility for the attack through its spokesperson, Karmveer. In a strongly worded statement, the group leveled serious allegations against coal mining companies operating in the region, describing their activities as "destruction in the name of development."
The TSPC statement contained explicit threats, warning that blood would spill onto the streets if talks regarding extortion demands were not initiated with the organization. Several company officials were specifically named in the warning, indicating targeted intimidation tactics.
Adding to the tension, Jharkhand Janmukti Parishad also released a list containing names of managers and employees from various companies, threatening them with serious consequences if they continued their operations in the area. This coordinated campaign of threats suggests a broader pattern of intimidation against industrial operations in the region.
Security Concerns and Police Response
According to a coal company officer, authorities had been warned about potential TSPC threats approximately one week before the Saturday night incident. Despite this advance notice, the attack proceeded as planned, raising questions about security preparedness in the industrial zone.
Tandwa SDPO Prabhat Ranjan Barwar provided additional details about the attack, revealing that six individuals directly set the truck on fire, while another six accomplices maintained a watchful distance from the scene. The police official refrained from confirming any connection between the attackers and extremist organizations, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing.
"Police have started a probe to ascertain who was behind this attack," stated Barwar. "Raids are underway to nab the culprits. We received a handwritten pamphlet from the spot, but our investigation is examining all possible angles."
The discovery of the handwritten pamphlet at the crime scene provides potential evidence that could help identify the perpetrators and their motivations. Local authorities have intensified security measures in the Amrapali coal project area while continuing their search for the attackers.
Broader Implications for Industrial Security
This incident highlights growing security challenges in industrial and mining regions of Jharkhand, where extremist groups have increasingly targeted corporate operations. The attack on the NCC company truck represents not just property damage but a direct challenge to industrial development in the area.
Coal mining companies operating in the region now face dual pressures: maintaining production schedules while ensuring employee safety amid escalating threats. The situation has prompted calls for enhanced security coordination between private companies and law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As investigations continue, local communities remain concerned about potential escalation of violence in the industrial corridor. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex security landscape in resource-rich regions where economic development intersects with social and political tensions.
