Joda: Coal thefts have become rampant at the Bansapani rail siding in Keonjhar district. Some locals are stealing coal from the rail siding regularly, it is learnt. The police have failed to take action against the culprits.
Some people and members of SHGs have filed a complaint at the Joda police station about this.
They said that coal is loaded on wagons at the rail siding daily, but some coal is left inside wagons. Workers are engaged to clear this coal before fresh loading. The coal which is swept out of the wagons is sold at a premium to traders. The stolen coal is hid in the nearby forest, and later it is packed in cement bags. A packet of coal is sold for Rs 300.
Coal is being used as fuel in brick kilns. Locals said the burning of coal has caused severe air pollution. SHG members had raided a brick kiln and shut it down. But coal thefts from the rail siding has not stopped, they said.
Joda IIC Sagarika Mohanty said that members of SHGs have filed a complaint at the police station.
There are also allegations that illegal transportation of ores, coal smuggling and supply of iron pellets are also going on in the area, but the administration is ignoring all complaints.
PNN