The Boudh district administration has clamped section-144 in and around Saradhapalli village under Boudh’s Shagada Panchayat after a maddening rush was witnessed to collect gemstones beside a pond digging site.
As per reports, the locals rushed to the spot to scavenge for gemstones after a video of the same went viral on social media.
According to sources, some locals witnessed a gemstone-like material during the digging of the pond two days ago and since then, people have been thronging the area daily to try their luck.
It is pertinent to mention here that there have been no official reports of any discovery of precious metals from the spot. Besides, no reaction has been obtained from the authorities in this connection.
However, after the viral video resulted the mad rush, the administration clamped prohibitory orders in the area and has sent a scientific team from Phulbani to probe the claims.
On the other hand, in Keonjhar, a team of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been searching for gold in the Sunakhani jungle under Bansapal block.
The team of geologists has been collecting samples from 15 places in the area by drilling more than 100 mtrs.
Notably, the area under Telkoi and Bansapal block were in news for possible gold deposits in the 80s. The search operation was then scrapped for some reasons. However, the GSI has once again begun the search in the same area.