Post News Network
Choudwar, Feb 12: Illegal quarrying of laterite stone has become a cause of concern in Choudwar region.
A few influential persons have been illegally quarrying laterite stone from government and forest land at Badasamantarapur, Mangarajpur, Berhampur and Shankarpur panchayat in the locality, according to sources.
The quarrying is done secretly at night and the laterite stones supplied to places such as Cuttack, Manguli, Tangi and Chhatia in trucks and tractors, sources said.
However, local police and tehsil officials are yet to take any action in this regard.
Police have sometimes seized a few stone-laden vehicles and handed them over to tehsil officials. However, these vehicles were released by tehsil staff after payment of meagre penalties, sources said.
Residents of the area have alleged that the mining mafia have the backing of a former MLA. “The government is losing a huge amount of revenue because of the illegal quarrying of laterite stone. Moreover, unauthorised quarrying has led to large-scale environment pollution,” said a local.
People have also expressed concern that the illegal quarrying is going on close to an aviation research centre (ARC). “Illegal stone quarrying and the presence of anti-social elements in the area may pose a threat to the ARC,” said a resident of the area.
“Stern action has been taken against the stone mafia. We have seized several stone-laden vehicles. Soon a joint team of police and tehsil staff will conduct raids on the illegal mines,” said Choudwar police in-charge Ajay Kumar Das.