Post News Network
Bhandaripokhari, July 26: Despite a Supreme Court ruling to stop illegal sand lifting from rivers, such unlawful activity is being carried out with impunity in river Baitarani at Mundapada and Maninathpur under this tehsil of Bhadrak district. But, the tehsil administration has allegedly failed to act against the sand mafia.
The tehsil officials occasionally seize sand-laden trucks and impose fine on them, but that appears to be mere eyewash. Such illegal activity by the mafia has posed threat to the riverbed.
It is learnt that the High Court has also imposed prohibition on sand lifting at Maninathpur ghat since 2008. Locals alleged mafia groups continue to quarry sand from the riverbed and dump it by roadsides or in their own land before transporting it by trucks and other vehicles elsewhere.
Locals said though the illegal activity is happening on a daily basis, it is unfortunate that the tehsil administration has failed to see it and act against it.
Locals also alleged that due to rampant sand quarrying, the riverbed has been hollowed out at many places, posing danger to people and domestic animals. They observed that inaction against the mafia groups has rather boosted their morale to carry forward their activities.
The villagers have several times apprised the administration of the illegal activity, but nothing is being done to stop it. The locals have demanded stern action in this direction.
When contacted, Bhandaripokhari tehsildar Radharaman Behera said the Malda revenue inspector has been asked to check the illegal sand lifting.
The sand mafia groups run their activities after office hours or at night, which has been a problem for the officials, he added. The officer, however, assured stern action against the sand mafia.
