Asansol | Jan 17, 2017: Dense smoke billowing out of a hole allegedly dug up for illegal mining at Eastern Coalfield Limited's (ECL) abandoned colliery at West Kenda near Jamuria in Asansol triggered panic during the wee hours on Monday. Villagers surrounded the colliery from 9am to 12pm, demanding rehabilitation.

Jamuria BDO Anupam Chakraborty asked an ECL official and the colliery's general manager to immediately control the fire. However, the villagers alleged such incidents keep happening as the area has been left open by the ECL after excavating coal and no backfilling was done.

Niladri Roy, general manager (technical) of ECL, said, "This has happened due to illegal mining. We have started backfilling and the fire is under control." - Mohammad Asif

(Source: http://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/)