Once again theft of manganese ore is going on rampantly in the Barbil Forest Range under Keonjhar Forest Division.
The fact came to light on Friday when about 150 MT of high grade iron ore valued at about Rs 5,00,000 was seized by a joint enforcement squad of Joda mining officials and police at Roita forest under Thakurani reserve forest near Kalapahad square.
Sources revealed that Thakurani reserve forest and Sidhamath reserve forest under Barbil are rich in high grade iron ore and manganese ore deposits.The Forest Department officials should ensure that there is no illegal mining of iron ore from the reserve forest. But it is alleged that due to the nexus of the forest officials with the mafias, daily 100MT of illegal iron ore and manganese is being routed to the neighbouring States of Jharkhand and West Bengal through Bileipada forest sections situated near the border of Odisha and Jharkhand.
When contacted, Forester, Bileipada, Pradeep Behera who has been newly posted at this important location after being promoted just six months back told that he was on leave and couldn't say anything in this regard.
It is demanded that some experienced officials should be posted there to put a check on the illegal transporting of iron ore and manganese through Bileipada forest sections.