Collector orders probe into illegal mining in S’garh forest area | Bhubaneswar News
Rourkela: Sundargarh district collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan has ordered an immediate investigation into illegal coal mining in Hemgir area under Gopalpur forest range, following reports of long-running unauthorised extraction activities.
In an official directive to the sub-collector, deputy director of mines (DDM) and Hemgir tehsildar, Mahajan has called for thorough inspections of nearby coal washeries and depots, including verification of stocks and documentation. Officials have been given three days to complete the verification process and submit a compliance report. The Sundargarh SP has been asked to provide security support to officials during the inspection drive.
The action comes after BJP leader and former Sundargarh Sadar MLA Kusum Tete wrote to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday, demanding a high-level probe into rampant coal smuggling in the area. Last week, district officials seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal from the forest area, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area for safekeeping, pending auction. A junior mining officer has filed an FIR at Hemgir police station, and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Sources revealed that the Gopalpur range officer had previously alerted the then Hemgir tehsildar about the illegal mining activities last year, but no action was taken. Questions have also been raised about the mining office’s apparent inaction despite allegedly being aware of the situation.
In an official directive to the sub-collector, deputy director of mines (DDM) and Hemgir tehsildar, Mahajan has called for thorough inspections of nearby coal washeries and depots, including verification of stocks and documentation. Officials have been given three days to complete the verification process and submit a compliance report. The Sundargarh SP has been asked to provide security support to officials during the inspection drive.
The action comes after BJP leader and former Sundargarh Sadar MLA Kusum Tete wrote to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday, demanding a high-level probe into rampant coal smuggling in the area. Last week, district officials seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal from the forest area, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area for safekeeping, pending auction. A junior mining officer has filed an FIR at Hemgir police station, and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Sources revealed that the Gopalpur range officer had previously alerted the then Hemgir tehsildar about the illegal mining activities last year, but no action was taken. Questions have also been raised about the mining office’s apparent inaction despite allegedly being aware of the situation.
