Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Babulal Marandi has accused the
involvement of some Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL) officials in
illegal coal mining activities in the area demanding a CBI or other
agency probe. Marandi, the BJP legislative party leader, has written a
letter to Coal India Limited (CIL) chief.
The BJP leader in his letter mentions that these illegal mining
activities are being carried out without any safety measures leading
to loss of lives.
Marandi, highlighted recent mining incidents, which occurred in
Dhanbad region in which half a dozen people lost their lives. He said,
illegal mining activities are being done with the knowledge of the
administrative officials. He said that during his visit to
Gopinathpur, Kapasara and Dahibara it was discovered that illegal
mining and coal smuggling were being carried out in an organised way.
Marandi said that illegal mining is not just a loss to the state and
national exchequers but also is a risk to the lives of local people
demanding the government to lodge FIRs against the officials who are
duty-bound to stop the illegal mining. It may be recalled that in the
month of February this year, an illegal coal mine in Dhanbad,
Jharkhand caved in killing at least 13 workers.
The incident took place at ECL Mugma area of Nirsa block of Dhanbad.
The sealed coal mine, being operated illegally, caved in after mining
equipment fell from the height of 20 feet. Thirteen people were killed
in the accident. More than a dozen others are feared trapped under the
rubble.
Marandi, demanding CBI probe in such mining incidents said there was
no scope of any exposure of illegality as the local administration,
which will conduct the probe, is “hand in gloves with the illegal
miners.