Jharkhand industry cautious after killings of coal officials

On the day of the bandh called by Naxalites, two senior executives of a joint venture coal company floated by the Punjab government and the Punjab State Electricity Board were killed on Monday by suspected Naxalites. The killings have caused tension among prospective investors who had signed MoUs with the Jharkhand government to invest in coal, mine, steel and power sectors in the state.

Deena Nath Saran (80), Executive Director and Sheetal Prasad (60), Assistant Manager of Panem Coalmines Limited, were gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-borne criminals in Amrapara area in Pakur district of the state’s second capital Dumka in early hours of Monday. Inspector General of Police (IG), Santal Parganas, RL Prasad said police could not rule out the hands of Naxalites behind the killings.

Saran, who retired as general manager of the Eastern Coalfields Limited, was instrumental in setting up the coal company by convincing the tribals to part with their land. Sheetal Prasad, prior joining the coal company, had been the general manager in the ECL. Locals said that the criminals enjoyed the backing and financial support of the Naxalites and an organisation which had been opposing transportation of coal to Punjab from Jharkhand.