Post News Network
Jajpur, Dec 3: Taking cognizance of 22 kidney ailment deaths in Dankari village under Dharmasala tehsil here due to extensive granite mining from Nischinta and Dankari hills and presence of stone crusher units, the Orissa Human Rights Commission (OHRC) issued notices to the secretaries of three departments seeking a report from them Thursday.
The rights body in its letter (4323/2015) has asked the principal secretaries of steel and mines, forest and environment and the member secretary of the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to probe and report on the deaths within three weeks.
The matter being a sensitive one the rights body has asked the secretaries to carry out an on-the-spot investigation and report on the issue. The action came after social activist Sarbeshwar Behura of Saroi village filed a complaint with the panel over reports published in Orissa Post.
The letter further states that severe environmental problems have surfaced in Dankari and its outskirts due to illegal wagon drilling in Dankari hill. This has led to a rise in kidney ailments, cancer and tuberculosis cases in the area and has resulted in over 22 deaths in last two years. The village home to over 150 Dalits and tribals has become unsafe for human habitation due to illegal blasting in the hill. The stone blasting has damaged their houses triggering panic in the area.
The villagers had taken up the matter with the district administration several times for redress of their problems, but in vain. Over 15 persons have been affected by kidney ailments and are undergoing treatment. Having lost their kidneys, five of them are battling for their lives.
Besides, the entire groundwater within 20 km radius of the hill has become polluted and rendered unfit for consumption due to use of toxic chemicals in wagon drilling.
The stone crusher units have been operating without obtaining clearance from the forest and environment department. They have set up several godowns on the foothills and have illegally stored chemicals like ammonia nitrate, electrical cap and other harmful chemicals for use in wagon drilling method.
Earlier, on an order by the High Court, the state Crime Branch had started an inquiry into the matter. The district collector had also visited Dankari, Nischinta and Bajabati hills and taken stock of the situation. The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under CrPc Section-144 in the area and imposed ban on quarrying due to lack of forest and environmental clearance. PNN