Illegal sand mining: MP Aparajita Sarangi slams Odisha govt, alleges involvement of ministers

Senior BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday slammed the Odisha government alleging rampant illegal mining of sand from different riverbeds. She also alleged the involvement of the State government along with the ruling BJD Ministers and warned to resort to massive protest.

Earlier today, MP Sarangi had written to K. Sudarsan Chakrabarty, Khordha Collector, to draw his attention towards the ‘rampant illegal sand mining taking place on the banks of rivers Kuakhai and Kusabhadra flowing through Jaydev, Balipatna, and Balianta areas'.

In her letter, she wrote that earlier the matter was discussed in the presence of the Bhubaneswar sub-Collector and was assured by the district administration that the illegal activities would be put to an end. However, the administration failed and the guidelines were being flouted raising safety risks in the area, she said. 

The letter further read that Sarangi visited the spot upon the request of the villagers and saw several machines at the spot; and, the illegal mining operation was being carried out at night. 

Sarangi asked the locals to capture photos and videos of the illegal operations as evidence. 

Seeking immediate action to stop the illegal operations, Sarangi warned to resort to public protest in form of 'road blockade' if the administration fails to take necessary action.