Rourkela: A nine-member enforcement team from the mines department concluded its two-day probe into illegal coal mining operations in Sundargarh district‘s Hemgir block on Sunday. The team, comprising two deputy directors of mines, a deputy director of geology, a junior mining officer, and five police officials, conducted extensive inspections of 18 coal pits in Ratansara, Telendih, and Bhograkochar forest areas. They were accompanied by Hemgir tehsildar Sarikarani Dhamel, junior mining officer Mangal Hembrum, and forest range officer (Gopalpur) Harihar Patra.
Using drone technology for surveillance, the team documented illegal mining activities and collected crucial evidence. They also visited Basundhara MCL office to gather relevant documents. “The enforcement team will submit their findings to the director of mines & geology,” said Dasarathi Sarabu, sub-collector, Sadar, Sundargarh.
The investigation follows recent media reports of widespread coal theft worth crores of rupees in the region. Earlier, district officials seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal from the forest area, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area pending auction.
The case has drawn attention from political leaders across party lines. BJP’s former Sundargarh Sadar MLA Kusum Tete and Talsara MLA Bhabani Shankar Bhoi have written to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi demanding a high-level probe. BJD’s Sundargarh Sadar MLA Jogesh Singh has called for a CBI investigation.
Collector (Sundargarh) Manoj Satyawan Mahajan has ordered a separate investigation, directing officials to inspect nearby coal washeries and depots. Questions have been raised about the apparent inaction of mining officials despite previous alerts from the Gopalpur range officer about illegal activities.
A police investigation is going on following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer at Hemgir police station, with efforts underway to apprehend the suspects involved in the illegal mining operations.
Rourkela: A nine-member enforcement team from the mines department concluded its two-day probe into illegal coal mining operations in Sundargarh district’s Hemgir block on Sunday. The team, comprising two deputy directors of mines, a deputy director of geology, a junior mining officer, and five police officials, conducted extensive inspections of 18 coal pits in Ratansara, Telendih, and Bhograkochar forest areas. They were accompanied by Hemgir tehsildar Sarikarani Dhamel, junior mining officer Mangal Hembrum, and forest range officer (Gopalpur) Harihar Patra.
Using drone technology for surveillance, the team documented illegal mining activities and collected crucial evidence. They also visited Basundhara MCL office to gather relevant documents. “The enforcement team will submit their findings to the director of mines & geology,” said Dasarathi Sarabu, sub-collector, Sadar, Sundargarh.
The investigation follows recent media reports of widespread coal theft worth crores of rupees in the region. Earlier, district officials seized 141.76 tonnes of illegally mined coal from the forest area, which has been transferred to MCL’s Basundhara area pending auction.
The case has drawn attention from political leaders across party lines. BJP’s former Sundargarh Sadar MLA Kusum Tete and Talsara MLA Bhabani Shankar Bhoi have written to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi demanding a high-level probe. BJD’s Sundargarh Sadar MLA Jogesh Singh has called for a CBI investigation.
Collector (Sundargarh) Manoj Satyawan Mahajan has ordered a separate investigation, directing officials to inspect nearby coal washeries and depots. Questions have been raised about the apparent inaction of mining officials despite previous alerts from the Gopalpur range officer about illegal activities.
A police investigation is going on following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer at Hemgir police station, with efforts underway to apprehend the suspects involved in the illegal mining operations.