Statesman News Service reported over the weekend that local police had prepared a list of 17 active mafia gangs involved in “rampant looting of coal” and had brought the matter to the attention of the West Bengal State Government.

Coal India subsidiary Eastern Coalfields also highlighted the issue, saying large-scale illegal mining in Raniganj coalfields “posed a severe threat to the area’s coal reserves”

Illegal mining in Jamuria, Baraboni, Kulti and Raniganj will all be investigated.

The Statesman also reported a number of local leaders and state government ministers had been under investigation by special intelligence officials for allegedly colluding with the mafia.