Illegal mining of mica near Gairua mica mines — which has caused several accidents in the past — claimed its latest victim, a 10-year-old local girl, here on Monday. The 10-year-old girl, staying at Gairua village died in an accident that occurred at Gairua close to mica mines here on Monday under the lukainayanpur police station.
The local police officials said that the local villagers and even the family members of the victim have refused to confirm the accident. But the native of Gairua village and its adjoining villages in Isari have continued with illegal mining operations .Since it was an abandoned mine they had dug a tunnel to enter the mine ,sources said .
The girl was crushed to death when roof of the mine where she was working collapsed on her. The collapse led to panic among the others villagers who started a search for others who might have been trapped beneath the rubble. The Gairua mica is reportedly key area where illegal mining was being carried out. The local administration as well as police officials were reportedly aware of the illegal mica mining thriving in the area. But no action has been taken to check the menace as yet.