Jharkhand News : Panic spread late Saturday night in the Bariatu police station area of Latehar district when armed criminals set fire to a parked Hyva truck near the Phulbasiya railway coal siding. Alongside the arson, they fired shots into the air and left behind a threatening letter, claiming responsibility for the incident.
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The letter, reportedly issued in the name of a person called Rahul Dubey, warned coal traders of severe consequences if they failed to pay extortion money. It contained clear threats, stating that those operating in the area without “managing” the gang would face dire outcomes.
According to available information, the criminals arrived at the railway siding under the cover of darkness. They poured petrol over the Hyva and set it ablaze. Following this, they fired several rounds into the air to spread fear, then dropped the letter before fleeing the scene.
Upon receiving the alert, Bariatu Police Station in-charge Devendra Kumar immediately rushed to the spot with his team. The police began a search operation in the area and launched an investigation into the incident. However, the criminals had already escaped before law enforcement could arrive.
Police believe the motive behind the attack was extortion. Similar incidents have been reported in the Latehar region in the past, especially around coal mining and transport zones. Such acts are usually aimed at pressuring traders and companies to pay money to criminal groups.
In his statement, the station in-charge emphasized that the police are taking the incident very seriously and will intensify operations to catch the culprits. He assured that efforts are underway to identify and arrest the perpetrators as soon as possible.
The local business community, particularly those involved in coal-related work, are now living in fear. They are urging the administration to take strong action against such elements and provide them with security to carry out their operations safely.
This incident once again highlights the persistent threats posed by criminal gangs in areas with active coal trading. Unless strict action is taken, these gangs will continue to disrupt peace and exploit the local economy through fear and violence.
