TV
The Odisha Vigilance Special Investigation Team (SIT) continued its probe on Thursday into the alleged mining scam in Sundargarh district.
Over the last three days, the team has uncovered significant illegal manganese and iron ore extraction. It is said that estimated value of the minerals are over Rs 37 crore.
Also Read: SIT intensifies probe into Odisha’s Sundargarh ‘mining scam’ worth over Rs 37 crore
According to sources, the ongoing investigation has now entered its third day. In the first two days of the operation, the SIT team conducted raids across approximately 32 different locations. Today, the team focused its attention on 12 more critical sites in the Koida mining circle, continuing to gather evidence of the widespread illegal activity.
The illegal mining operations, taking place under the radar in dense forests of Sundargarh, have been linked to organised criminal syndicates. These groups have been conducting unauthorised mining activities, extracting precious minerals such as manganese and iron ore, and then trafficking them through illegal channels.
These illicit operations were being carried out in areas where mining has been officially banned, and the minerals extracted were often shipped without any official documentation. The stolen ore was reportedly sold at high prices on the black market, severely damaging the region's economy and environment.
The authorities have pointed to the involvement of a well-organised mafia network that has been manipulating the system for years. The stolen manganese and iron ore, which were extracted illegally from protected forest areas, were of significant quantity, leading to a major financial loss to the State exchequer.
As per initial estimates, the total value of the illegally mined manganese and iron ore is believed to be over Rs 37 crore. The 12-member SIT team, with officials from the Vigilance Directorate, is now preparing for a larger crackdown, with plans to question several key players involved in this massive illegal mining syndicate.
This team includes 12 officers from SIT, along with local tehsildar, Ranger, Vigilance Police Superintendent, and the Deputy Director of Mines, Koida.
It has been alleged that more than 20,000 metric tonnes of manganese ore and over 12,000 metric tonnes of iron ore were illegally extracted from mines that were previously closed and from protected forests in the Koida region.
“Yesterday, we visited 20 different locations under Koida mines region and took the measurements at extracted sites. Today, as of now, we have covered 12 more locations and carried out the probe, which is underway. DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) coordinates have been collected,” senior SIT official, Sushant Kumar Biswal, said.
“Details of the extraction can be ascertained after further probe,” the official added.
