‘Illegal blasting’ reported in Maoist-hit Tulasi Hills of Odisha’s Malkangiri; Andhra firm under scanner

Serious concerns have been raised in Malkangiri district after allegations of illegal blasting came to the fore at Tulasi hills, which is a sensitive area along the Chhattisgarh border and is still considered Maoist-affected.

According to reports, an Andhra Pradesh-based contractor firm is allegedly carrying out large-scale explosions without obtaining mandatory approvals. The blasts are feared to have potential links with insurgent activities.

Blasts Without Permission

Eyewitness accounts and visuals from the site obtained on Friday suggested that the firm has been conducting powerful blasts in the guise of road construction activities.

Officials confirmed that no application or license had been granted for blasting in the area. Despite this, explosives were allegedly transported and used in broad daylight, raising questions over the source of the materials and the oversight of enforcement agencies.

Notably, the blasting location lies barely two kilometres from a Border Security Force (BSF) camp, compounding security concerns. Locals fear that the illegal activity could compromise safety in the Maoist-prone zone and provide opportunities for insurgents to exploit the availability of explosive substances, added reports.

Official Action and Previous Raids

It is worth noting that this is not the first instance of irregularities at Tulasi Hills. Just weeks earlier, pollution control and mining department officials had raided the site following complaints of unauthorised blasting and crusher operations.

Notices had been issued to the company, asking it to explain why such activities were being carried out without permits.

Despite the notices, blasting reportedly continued, intensifying suspicions of regulatory lapses. The latest round of explosions has once again brought the issue to the fore, with questions being raised over how a private firm managed to procure and store blasting materials in a high-security, insurgency-affected belt.

Authorities are yet to issue a formal statement on the latest allegations of the blasts.