Illegal sand lifting from Subarnarekha; RDC Bikas Dash visits Jaleswar

Balasore, Dec, 14: Amidst complaints of massive sand lifting from riverbed of Subarnarekha from West Bengal sand mafias, the RD central range made a visit to district on Sunday. Bikash Dash, RDC, took the stock of situation after visiting some villages of Jaleswar. District collector Pramod Das, SP Niti Sekhar, the sub collector RC Palta, Jaleswar tehsildar RC Kisku and the villagers were present.

The villagers of South Prahrajpur, Guagadia, Praharajpur, Behera Sahi, Kuanrpur, Mankadia, Raja Nagar and Gopalpur alleged that massive lifting of by West Bengal mafias not only causing revenue loss too causing natural disaster like flood. The river while changed its course and the damage is caused during floods, they alleged .

It may be recalled there has been dispute over years over sand lifting between two states as either of them claim as their territory. Earlier occasions actions were taken against some of the operators who were lifting sand from the bed.

While Odisha police seized their machinery also prohibitory orders under CrPc 144 too were clamped. It is alleged by the villagers that the operators from the Bengal end were drawing huge quantity of sand through powerful sum pumps.

RD Dash besides asking the district collector to submit a detail report about the map, records pertaining to claim also said the issue would be taken up in the government level with the Bengal counter parts .

He also suggested to give the sand patch on lease on short term basis. Pramod Das , the collector said “ The RDC asked for a detail report on the issue and he assured to resolve the issue after talks in government level”.