Orissa intensifies action against illegal mines

Reacting to the growing ramifications of the illegal mining scam in Orissa, whose tentacles spread into the neighbouring states of West Bengal and Jharkhand, the Orissa government has stopped mining activities at 69 iron ore and manganese mines; while vigilance detectives yesterday raided the mines and offices of Sirajuddin & Co in Bhubaneshwar and Kolkata.

The actions follow the detection of illegal mining by a task force constituted under the chairmanship of state chief secretary T K Mishra. Most of the allegedly illegal mines are located in the Joda, Koida, Rourkela and Keonjhar districts of the state.

The vigilance police earlier raided seven mines and unearthed illegal mining, violation of the environment and forests act, tax evasion, royalty evasion and illegal trading and transportation of minerals.

"We have already registered four criminal cases and have arrested nine officials, out of whom eight are officials of the mining and forest department," said state vigilance department director Anup Patnaik.

State steel, mines and industries minister Raghunath Mohanty said his government is soon going to stop work in some more mines. The raids will continue for two more days, he added.

In the case of Sirajuddin & Co, the vigilance department pressed into service 16 teams, which raided the mines and offices of the company and its allied concerns.