JAGATSINGHPUR: Jagatsinghpur police has registered a case against the district mining officer (DMO) and two leaseholders for their alleged involvement in large-scale illegal sand mining across different sairat sources, causing huge loss to the state exchequer.
The case was registered against DMO Satish Kumar Tarai on basis of the FIR lodged by Jagatsinghpur sub-collector Prasant Kumar Tarai following raids at two sand quarries in Kilipal under Tirtol tehsil and Jaipur on Mahanadi riverbed in Raghunathpur.
The FIR stated that large-scale illegal mining was being carried out in various sand sairat sources across the district with the mining officer allegedly acting in nexus with leaseholders, antisocial elements and criminals for unauthorised lifting of sand.
On November 25, a raid was conducted by the district administration at Kilipal sand quarry, which was leased to one Saroj Mohanty of Nachuni in Khurda district. During the raid, 46 Hyva trucks and three chain-mounted excavators were seized. It was found that sand was illegally extracted beyond the permissible area and quantity.
Similarly on December 11, another raid was conducted by the sub-collector at Jaipur sand quarry leased to Bansidhar Swain. During the operation, 22 Hyva trucks and two excavators were seized. Excess sand mining beyond the permissible limit was also detected at the quarry.
Earlier on November 27, Jagatsinghpur collector J Sonal had issued show-cause notices to the deputy director of mines (Jajpur) and the DMO for failing to conduct regular raids on sand quarries.
Investigating officer Bibekananda Sahoo confirmed that the DMO and leaseholders Mohanty and Swain were booked by police based on the sub-collector’s complaint. He said the case has been registered under sections 303 (2), 112 (2) and 61 (2) of the BNS and section 51 of the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession (OMMC) Rules. Investigation is underway and no arrests have been made yet, Sahoo added.
DMO Tarai was not available for comment.