Bisamkatak: Gemstone mafia has been on a looting spree in various parts of Rayagada district. About three days ago, the STF of the Crime Branch arrested a person involved in gemstone quarrying and smuggling.
Some gemstone quarries have been lying inoperative, but the mafia is plundering these precious minerals at their will. On the other hand, the mines department and the administration have allegedly not taken any action against them, a report said.
Rampant gemstone loot has caused resentment among locals. The government is losing crores of rupees due to smuggling of gemstones.
A gem stone mine is at Paika Dakuluguda under Bisamkatak block. Mafai has been active here for a long time. Every day, valuable gemstones are being mined with the help of locals and are transported outside.
Notably, the STF has got clues about gem stone trafficking. November 7, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch had arrested ganja and gemstone smuggler Jitendra Behera. His car was loaded with two gunny bags of illegally procured gemstones worth over crores of rupees.
Rayagada police arrested two more persons on charge of supplying the semi-precious stones and arranging buyers. One of the two is a block grant school teacher of Boudh district.
During investigation into Behera’s illegal trade network, police nabbed Mahana and Ratnallu, who admitted to its involvement in gemstone smuggling.
Mahana and Ratnallu have close links with prime accused Behera. The three used to run a racket. Ratnallu procured gemstones from illegal mines operating in Takiguda area and sold them to Behera.
This has exposed the illegal gemstone mining in the district. Many local people claimed that gem stone loot had been taking place at several mines in the district with the help of local residents.
“Though local administration and police are well aware of such illegal activities, they are keeping quiet. This has raised many eyebrows,” they lamented.
Prashant Kumar Vaid, a resident of Bhusan-Dakulguda, said,”A gemstone mine was explored in Dakulguda hill 21 years ago. The mines department had made efforts to dig the place. But the government did not take it over. This provided an opportunity for the mafia to loot gemstones.”
He added that, the Odisha Mining Corporation and the forest and environment department had jointly held a public hearing over quarrying of gemstones. The administration had put of a fence around the mine. Locals were hopeful of getting income from the gemstone business and development of their area, but the government has so far refrained from mining form gemstones till date, Vaid noted.
Since then, the place has been a haven for gemstone mafia. As good quality stones are available from this quarry, some traders have engaged locals to dig out gemstones and they are supplied to different parts of the country.
As for the alleged loot of the gemstones, the tehsildar said after the public hearing, not step was taken for mining of the place. But he has received no complaints about gemstone smuggling, he said.
PNN
