Amit Pandey, Khairagarh. The life of villagers has become hell due to the terror of mineral mafia in the border areas of Khairagarh and Rajnandgaon districts. Indiscriminate mining without any standards, illegal blasting and pollution have brought this area to the brink of destruction. Also read: Chhattisgarh: 2 security forces personnel injured in IED blast, referred to Raipur
The dreaded empire of mineral mafia is spread in Thelkadih, Dapka, Baldevpur, Pendrikala and surrounding areas of Khairagarh. Due to their location on the border of two districts and official nexus, the operators of the mines have become completely fearless. By flouting the rules, mining is being done up to 150 to 200 feet, exceeding the legal limit of 100 feet. This mining is not only a threat to the environment but is also putting the life and property of the villagers at risk.
Scene of devastation from fields to homes
Illegal mining and blasting by the mineral mafia has affected the entire area. Due to deep ravines and continuous blasting, almost all the houses in the village have developed cracks. The fields have become barren, and the groundwater level has fallen to such an extent that there is now a fight for water. Villagers say that their lives are at stake due to explosions every day. The mineral mafia is violating the rules and doing large scale blasting without permission.
blasting without permission
Due to the explosions, the foundations of the houses are shaking, the walls are cracking, and the entire area is trembling. The explosions are so loud that the villagers lose their sleep. For this, neither permission is taken from the Directorate General of Mine Safety, nor is information given to the police. After the explosions, big stones fall in the village, due to which some untoward incident can happen at any time.
Difficulty in passing through dust on the road
The dust blown due to mining has made this area completely non-existent. Clouds of dust are spreading due to heavy traffic on highways and trucks. Due to this dust it has become difficult for children to even go to school. Pedestrians and children return home drenched in dust, which is seriously affecting their health. Due to this dust, even clothes and grains cannot be dried in rural homes.
The department turned a blind eye to complaints
The negligence of the Mineral Department and administration has further strengthened the morale of the mineral mafia in this area. The villagers have complained many times, but the department remains a mute spectator. There has been no public hearing for two years, and the administration is not ready to take any action.
There is no safety net in any mine
There are about 21 mines in Khairagarh district, in which 150-200 feet deep pits have now become dangerous. There is no safety net in any mine. For the sake of food supply, some wire fencing can be seen at some places; no effort is being made to fill the pits of mines that have been closed for years. There is always a risk of accident due to these potholes.
The villagers had to bear the brunt of the agitation.
Last year, the villagers along with the Bhim Regiment had demonstrated in Thelkadih to wake up the administration, but the influential mine operators took action against the agitating villagers and lodged an FIR. For many years, the voice of the villagers is being suppressed by the mine operator and the administrative alliance.
Administration needs to take immediate action
Now the question is whether the government and administration will take this dangerous situation seriously? Will action be taken against the mining mafia, or will this game continue? The screams of the villagers of Khairagarh have now become a warning. The administration will have to take immediate steps, otherwise the situation may become even more dangerous in the coming days.
