Birbhum, West Bengal – Police in West Bengal’s Birbhum district seized 20,000 gelatine sticks from a pick-up van on Wednesday, raising concerns about potential illegal mining activity and unauthorized explosives trafficking in the region. The recovery was made during a routine check near Muhammad Bazar, an area previously linked to similar seizures.
This latest find follows a 2022 incident where 81,000 detonators and ammonium nitrate where confiscated in the same area, prompting a National Inquiry Agency (NIA) investigation. Authorities suspect a connection between the incidents and illicit operations, potentially involving the illegal mining of stone and coal. A state intelligence department officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that explosives are frequently enough sourced illegally from miners in neighboring Jharkhand.
The seized gelatine sticks were intended for use in blasting operations, typically employed in mining and construction. Selling explosives to individuals without proper licensing is illegal.The NIA is currently investigating the 2022 case, having taken it over from the West Bengal police’s Special Task Force (STF) after the initial seizure of detonators and ammonium nitrate from a goods vehicle, leading to the arrest of two suspects. The NIA has informed the court that the previously seized detonators were sold to unlicensed individuals.