Jajpur: There was a lull for a few days, but now once more the sand mafias are active in the Korei area in this district. Sand mining is being carried out at Nisangapur Balighat on the riverside of the Baitarani in broad daylight without any lease or permit, sources said Monday. Hundreds of Hyva vehicles have been engaged on a daily basis to take away huge quantities of sand. Due to the running of these heavy trucks, the rural roads are also suffering damage.
Locals are questioning as to how the loot of sand is being carried out, despite the presence of the tehsildar, Revenue department inspector, and supervisor at the Vyasanagar office.
Locals alleged that with the tehsildar on leave, some leaders with political clout are carrying out sand mining with impunity. They are being helped by some dishonest officials. The ‘Korei Sangram Samiti’ has protested against the sand mafia. They have written a letter to the District Collector requesting him to step in and stop the illegal sand mining. The members of the ‘Samiti’ have demanded that stringent action should be taken against the guilty and that their vehicles and earthmovers should be seized. Not only is the government losing huge royalty amounts, but the roads constructed under the rural development schemes are also being damaged, alleged locals.