Locals on Friday protested against the illegal sand mining by some influential persons in the rivers Brahmani and Kelua under Dharmasala block in Jajpur district. The agitated villagers of Uttarpratap and other nearby villages stopped sand lifting works and detained the vehicles which were transporting sand.
Sources said a few persons recently managed to obtain sand leases illegally by greasing the palms of some corrupt officials. These people are creating a law and order situation in the villages. There has been a rampant increase in the illegal sand mining before the arrival of monsoon as during the rainy season it would be difficult to carry out mining from the swollen rivers.
The large number of trucks, dumpers and tractors engaged in the mining do not cover the sand with tarpaulin, for which there is pollution and road mishaps due to sand spilling on the highways. When contacted, Jajpur ADM Akshya Mallick said, “We have stopped many illegal sand quarries recently in Dharmasala area.
