Illegal stone mining busted in Patamda, vehicle seized, FIR registered

Jamshedpur: In a major crackdown on illegal mining activities in the district, the East Singhbhum administration has registered a FIR against an individual for unauthorized excavation and storage of stone minerals. The action was taken following the directive of Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal, as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to curb unlawful mineral exploitation in the region.

According to official sources, a joint raid was carried out by the Mining Department along with the Circle Officer (CO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and the Station Incharge of Patamda. The operation, conducted in the Mauja Sisda area of Patamda, uncovered extensive illegal mining activities, including unauthorized storage of approximately 50,000 CFT (Cubic Feet) of stone boulders.

During the raid, authorities also seized a heavy vehicle — a Tata Hitachi hydraulic excavator — from the mining site. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the vehicle was being used for the extraction and handling of the stone mineral without any valid lease or license.

Mine Inspector Arvind Oraon has filed an FIR at the Patamda Police Station against Subhash Shahi, the alleged operator of the illegal mining site and the owner of the seized hydraulic excavator. The complaint has been registered under multiple provisions including the Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004, The Jharkhand Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2017, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, along with other relevant sections of law.

“It is strictly prohibited to extract or store any mineral without proper authorization in the form of a mining lease or license. Strict legal action will be taken against violators to ensure adherence to the rule of law and conservation of natural resources,” an official statement from the District Administration emphasized.

Officials have reiterated that such operations will continue unabated in the coming days to clamp down on illegal mining, which not only causes loss to the state exchequer but also poses serious environmental hazards.

“ The seized material and machinery have been taken under government custody, and further investigations are underway to determine the extent of the illegal operations and whether additional individuals were involved. This latest action underscores the district administration’s commitment to enforcing mining laws and preserving the ecological balance of the region,” said the official.