Joda: Minerals are allegedly being looted from some closed mines under Bolani police limits in Keonjhar. Locals asserted that though local police are aware of this mineral loot, they are blinking at it.
Mafia has engaged labourers to excavate manganese inside the closed mines amid reserve forest. Even old manganese in the stockyards are being supplied though vehicles at night outside the state.
Locals said that some corrupt police officials, forest officials and staff of the closed mines are involved in this loot.
On the other hand, mineral mafia armed with weapons stand guard at different places to protect the supply. Fearing the armed people, locals cringe to inform the authorities about the mineral supply.
A recent case is a proof of the ongoing mineral loot and theft. Mafia had snatched cell phones of three security guards engaged at Arjun Lodha mines late Saturday night and closed the three inside a room. Minerals were loaded on a vehicle and supplied from there. A complaint was filed in this regard.
Usually, an enforcement squad visits mining areas to check the mineral loot. Many quarters wondered how this mineral theft has been going on despite checking by the enforcement squad.
Deputy Director of Joda mining circle, Sushant Kumar Nayak said that an FIR has been lodged with police station regard mineral theft from Arjun Lodha mine. “The mines department is also looking into the matter. The district level enforcement squad has been checking at regular intervals. The mineral thieves tied the security guards and looted the mineral. Police will take action only after the investigation,” he added.
PNN