Jamshedpur: Contrary to claims of state government to take action against illegal miners, Jadugora forest area continues to be a hub of suspicious mining activities.
Many stone carrying trucks pass by the Rakha Mines Forest Office on a daily basis and reach the main road. The stones mined elsewhere are stocked on a plot of land under a leased area in Bodra Gora village of Matigora panchayat. Here a board bearing the name of some �PK Sharma� is put up on the plot.
The area of the plot is 1.6 acre with mineral stone mentioned on the board. Although there is no stone in the leased land, stones are stocked on this plot.
Local sources said stones are quarried in Borakata, Kulamara and Mahato Gora villages among many others and stocked on the leased plot. A local villager Bangru Gudwa said local villagers had decided to unite against the illegal mining activities in the area.
Contacted, the village head Chitranjan Singh said complaints had been made several times to the forest ranger and divisional forest officer regarding the illegal mining activities on the forest land. But so far no action has been taken by the authorities. He said villagers will stage an indefinite dharna in case the illegal mining activities were not stopped soon.
The forest ranger Samir Adhikari, asked about the allegations, said, �I have no such information about any such activities in the area. Anyhow I will be visiting the area and take prompt action if any vehicle is found to be carrying illegally mined stone.�
Another villager Bhojo Singh Banra said the Roam forest range will be gheraoed in case the DFO and forest ranger failed to take action against the culprits.
