At a time when the Covid-19 lockdown is in force, the stone mafias are having a free run in the Begunia area of Khordha district, with the active connivance of some Government officials.
Even though there is no Government laterite stone mine in the area, many illegal mines have mushroomed in different panchayats, due to which the State Government is losing a huge amount of revenue.
The members of the stone mafia gangs with their ill-gotten money have managed to come under the umbrella of some politicians, due to which the administrative and police officials are shielding them instead of taking action.
In an example, the Siko police outpost-in-charge on May 1 seized three power tillers from the Raimul mine in Hirapur panchayat . But later while he released the power tillers of Raka and Hari, he did not’ release the power tiller of Bijay Behera of Chhima village. It is alleged that Behera did not pay the amount demanded by the concerned official.
When contacted, the local Tehsidar was not able to give a satisfactory reply. The locals have demanded an inquiry into the entire episode.