Joda: The coal smuggling racket has been thriving and growing in the Bansapani area of Keonjhar district. It has recently come to the notice how the coal mafia has engaged over 200 schoolchildren in coal collection from the Bansapani rail siding.
Though coal smuggling is on the rise, the enforcement squad of the mining department and the district administration has failed to take preventive measures.
Coal smuggled from the rail siding are kept hidden in bushes and later transported to outside the state. Some of the children are used in the process of grinding the coal and give them the shape of balls. These coal balls are used in eateries and other businesses.
It has been alleged that some unscrupulous railway police personnel are hand in glove with the coal mafia. Locals also said that the involvement of mining department officials cannot also be ruled out as they are not implementing steps to prevent coal smuggling.
LD Nayak, deputy director of the Joda mining circle, said a probe will be launched and action will be taken against those involved in coal smuggling.
Joda ASI Biswajit Behera said that a racket is active to loot coal and over 200 schoolchildren have been pressed into service by the coal mafia. SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra assured that action will be taken soon to stop the illegal trade of coal.
PNN