Joda: Amid allegations that illegal mining is still going on in forested pockets of Joda mining circle, mines department officials seized illegally excavated high grade manganese in Roida forest in Keonjhar district Friday.
It was learnt that the mafia had cleared trees and excavated manganese which was to be transported later.
Acting on a tip-off, officials of the mines department carried out a raid in the forest and seized high grade manganese stuffed in 76 packets.
According to a report, the mafia has adopted new tactics. It transports illegal manganese in four-wheelers to neighbouring Jharkhand easily. After stocking the mineral there, it is shifted to different places.
It was alleged that illegal mineral transportation is going on in such way due to lax checking by the authorities concerned.
The mines department and the state government have resorted to various measures to check illegal mining and transport of minerals. Despite this, such illegal activities have been on the rise in the area, exposing lax steps of the mines department, locals alleged.
The result is that the state government has been losing crores of rupees as revenue, they added.
PNN
