Lack of livelihood opportunities is forcing hundreds of poor Dalits in our correspondent Mukesh Rajak's state - Jharkhand Illegal coal mining is widespread in Jharkhand, India's largest coal producer state. An estimated 7,20000 tonnes of coal is smuggled every year in the state. Most of it is controlled by an organized syndicate of coal mafia. However, dozens of villages across Deogarh district, people engaged in illegal mining are poor villagers, belonging to marginalized communities such as Mukesh's own, who have been denied of rights to livelihood. They mine coal from three sources: • A shallow village-dug coal pit, • An abandoned mine and • Dumps of legally mined coal, waiting uploading and dispatch to different destinations While some dig the coal, some work carry the sacks of coal on their cycles and push from the mines to neighbouring towns to sell them. The latter are known as 'Cycle wallahs'. Their clientele includes individual houses, shops, particularly food stalls, and local brickfields. Both the coal diggers and the cyclewallahs risk being buried under the sudden caving in of a mine's roof. More than 350 people have lost their lives in illegal coal mining in the last 15 years. Since they were mining illegally, no compensation or aid is ever provided to the victim's family. If they escape being arrested, they are still at risk of getting arrested under the Goonda Act - law enforced by the govt to curb illegal mining. The earning of these people just Rs 200 a ...