Brutal murder of Prahlad Prasad in broad daylight has put the State Government, apart from local administration in a dock. The questions being raised about larger interest involved behind the killing of the social activist and whistleblower known for raising his voice against serious violations of environmental norms have also pained senior Minister in the Raghubar Das Government, Saryu Roy.
Roy, also a known social activist and environmental crusader, had raised the issue of consistent ignorance paid towards illegal coal dumping at Chandwa and Tori area of latehar district in the presence of none other than Chief Minister Raghubar Das on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5 in Ranchi.
“I had indicated towards this in my speech that serious damage to local environment and public health is taking place at Chandwa and railway siding of Tori has been made illegal dumping yard. locals were agitating for long against the coal dust affecting dense settlement nearby alarmingly. Prahlad Prasad was a respectable person of the area and he along with others had raised the issue before the administration vociferously. When I visited there I came to know that the administration, instead of shutting down the illegal coal dump, is harassing the activists by implicating them in false cases. And now he is killed, that is certainly a dent on the Government,” Roy told The Pioneer.
Soon after his raising the issue, the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) had slapped closure notice to the railways for running the coal siding without taking ‘consent-to-establish’ and ‘consent-to-operate’ (CTE and CTO); made mandatory after the Ministry of Environment and Forest under its new guidelines signified it as an industry. Under the existing system, all railway sidings across the country have to acquire the green clearances for continuation. Interestingly, the two Chandwa-Tori railway sidings in question had neither.
Prahlad, knowing the facts fully well, had organised series of agitations and sit-ins against the coal siding and dustbowls created has engulfed the area and had alleged local administration for being hand in glove with transporters and coal traders. The residue continuously causes siltation and chokes water bodies nearby. Reports suggest that Tori railway station remains covered under thick layer of coal dust due to rampant dumping. Prahlad’s effort contributed to JSPCB’s slapper.
“We had issued closure notice to the railway about 8-9 days ago and written to the DC and our regional office to ensure the compliance. If any adverse report comes, then criminal cases would be filed,” said a JSPCB official from Board’s regional office. This apart, a show cause notice to the Central Coalfields limited (CCl) has also been issued by the JSPCB seeking details of coal users there.
The allegation of a foul play has been substantiated during police investigation that is underway after the killing took place on June 15. “During investigation the police have got sufficient lead hinting towards local coal transporters who were getting benefited by the coal siding. Prahlad Prasad was opposing the illegal siding under ‘Zila Sangharsh Samiti’ banner and had acquired the JSPCB’s closure notice just before getting killed. This would have led the contractors to hire some contract killers. We are working out and mobile CDR of the suspects etc are being examined,” said Harilal Chauhan, IPS, posted as PS-in-charge of Chandwa.
Chauhan, at the same time, also mentioned that police could not act against the illegal siding as the civil administration had not passed any instruction relating the violations made.
Roy, holding important portfolio of Food and Civil Supplies, had raised similar points and now seeks a high level probe into entire episode. “Responsibility should be fixed as it seems the administration allowed the activities to continue. The Chief Minister is competent to order the probe as there is larger cause involved. I will do my bit,” said Roy.