Khurda Illegal Stone Mining: Tehsildar, Sadar IIC appear before Crime Branch STF

Bhubaneswar: Khurda Tehsildar Suvendra Samal and Sadar IIC Bikram Jena today deposed before the Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch probing the collusion between mining mafia, corrupt government officials and politicians in the illegal stone mining operations in Khurda. Earlier, the STF had served notices to  Samal and Jena and they were asked to appear before the agency today.

Jena was asked to depose before STF which wants to elicit more facts and circumstances that led to rampant illegal stone quarry in the area.

“I will cooperate in STF probe. Several criminals engaged in illegal stone quarrying were arrested and vehicles were seized in the past. I have not shown any favours to anyone. Whenever a mine is leased out, we do not have information regarding it. Police take action whenever we get information or complaint regarding illegal mining operations,” said Jena.

It is pertinent to mention here that over 30 people associated with illegal stone quarrying in Khurda have been arrested in the past three months.

Jena was among the 11 officers who were nominated for police medal for Meritorious Service. However, Jena’s name was dropped after the STF summoned to depose before it in connection with the illegal stone mining in Khurda.

“We have seized 200 vehicles, two proclaim machines. I have not shown any undue favours to anyone. I am not aware about any political links in the illegal mining activities,” said Khurda Tehsildar Suvendra Samal.