Villagers of the Jaleswar area have threatened to embark on an indefinite dharna at the tehsil office from June 12 (Monday) if the administration doesn’t stop illegal sand lifting from the river Subarnarekha by mafias.
The villagers alleged that mafias from the West Bengal have been lifting sand through high-speed swamp machines illegally due to absence of a monitoring mechanism.
life and livelihood of people of seven villages, Makidia, Kuanpur, Beherasahi, Rajnagar, Dakhinpraharajpur, Guagadia and Makrampur have been severely affected, alleged villagers.
The lifting has caused of river bank erosion which has posed threats for collapse of dwelling houses, school buildings and agriculture lands.
Makidia Sarpanch Balram Barsal said 32 high-speed pumps from the West Bengal are engaged in sand lifting and have created 50 feet deeps. About 500 trucks and lorries transport sand to different places daily.
Though the district administration had conducted raids and seized machineries and held talks with their Bengal counterparts, yet sand lifting remains unabated.
As many as 1,200 families belonging to two villages, Makidia and Kuanarpur, are being affected.
The villagers said though they have apprised to all concerned, including the district Collector, local MlA and MP, RDC and Chief Minister, yet no solution has been made.
“Hence, we have decided to begin an indefinite dharna at the Jaleswar tehsil office from June 12,” said villagers.