Illegal sand mining rampant on banks of Kharkai river

Jamshedpur : Unlawful sand mining has become active along the course of the Khakai river Unabated excavation of sand, most of it illegal, to meet the requirements of the booming construction industry in Jamshedpur has put the officials of the Department of Mines and Geology on their toes.

Due to regular sand lifting at the place, it is causing danger even to the rivers as thousands of tonnes of sand are being lifted everyday. The authorities concerned are at all concerned over the issue, regret local people. Moreover, depletion of water tables has rendered borewells useless in the area, says villagers.

They also alleged that officials concerned themselves are involved in illegal sand lifting to make some quick money. The government should take stern action against the erring officials and curb sand mining at the earliest, demand officials.

Local residents of Adityapur staged a demonstration in front of RIT police station in Adityapur to illegal lifting of sands from Kharkai river.

Supported by Kuluptanga Gram Sabha, the protesters demonstrated in front of the RIT police station as the later did not react to an information about illegal lifting of sands from the river-ghaat in Kharkai.

Prior to coming to the police station, the protesters had seized three truck-loads of sands from Kuluptanga ghaat in Kharkai river around midnight. Led by Hari Tuddu, president of Seraikela unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Mahasabha, the protesters had informed the RIT police about the illegal lifting from the river ghaat, but despite the information the police had not swung into action, leading the protesters to keep guarding on the seized truck the whole night.

Tuddu said that as the police did not turn up for action, he had contacted some senior officers of the district, and finally contacted deputy inspector general (DIG), Kolhan, Mohammed Nehal in the wee hours.

According to sources, over one hundred people belonging to the tribal community, including women had participated in seizing the sand-laden trucks at Kharkai river’s Kuluptanga ghaat since midnight.

As the agitated people proceeded to seize the truck, the truck drivers had left the spot leaving ignition keys in the respective vehicles.

Officer-in-charge, RIT police station, D. Madan confirmed that people belonging to the Kuluptanga Gram Sabha had lodged an FIR, but they transferred it to the district mining department as the matter related to sand-lifting comes under the mining department.