A tragic blast at an unauthorized stone quarry in Odisha's Dhenkanal district has claimed the lives of two workers, leading to a police crackdown and a fierce political debate over illegal mining in the state.
Arrests and Crackdown After Fatal Incident
Police on Monday arrested the mine's supervisor, Chhabiraj Mahakud, a day after the deadly explosion. The quarry operator and several others are currently evading arrest. Dhenkanal SP Abhinav Sonkar confirmed the arrest, stating that multiple teams have been formed to track down the absconding individuals.
In a swift joint operation involving the district administration and mining officials, authorities launched a massive crackdown, resulting in the sealing of 20 illegal stone quarries and crusher units in the area on Monday.
Details of the Illegal Operation
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when nearly 20 workers were engaged in illegal blasting and mining activities. Investigations revealed that the quarry was operating without valid permits. Officials confirmed that the site's blasting permit had lapsed in September 2023, and its mining lease had expired in December 2023.
Despite the expiry of its lease last month, the quarry operator had continued the mining operations, leading to the hazardous conditions that culminated in the blast.
Political Storm Erupts Over Illegal Mining
The tragedy has triggered a political storm in Odisha. The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) launched a sharp attack on the government, accusing it of turning a blind eye to rampant illegal mining. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty alleged a nexus between the mining mafia and government officials.
"Mineral theft is flourishing right under the nose of authorities, causing huge losses to the state exchequer. The Dhenkanal tragedy could have been prevented if the administration acted against unauthorized mining," Mohanty stated.
In response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended its record. BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra countered that the present government has been working to curb illegal mining that thrived under the previous BJD regime. He referenced past incidents, including the 2006 Kalinga Nagar police firing where 13 tribals were killed, to criticize the BJD's governance.
"To appease mine operators and industrialists, the previous BJD government disregarded all regulations. Ours is a people’s government," Mohapatra asserted.
The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the persistent issue of illegal mining in Odisha, raising serious questions about enforcement, regulatory oversight, and worker safety in the state's mineral-rich regions.
