ROURKELA: Police crackdown on illegal iron ore mining in the Koida mining sector of Maoist-hit Bonai sub-division has the iron ore mafia run for cover after enjoying a free run for a long time.At least 25 persons engaged in the loot of natural resources were arrested from Bonai sub-division in the three-day raid, including two persons on Monday. The two were escorting a truck laden with the illegal consignment when they were nabbed in Rourkela.Sources said illegal raising and transportation of iron ore at Koida, about 100 km from here, began a decade back. It assumed a bigger dimension in recent years with the local police, mines and forest officials allegedly working hand in glove. After being driven away from Joda mining sector in Keonjhar district some of them set up their base at Koida. Interestingly, crushing of iron ore lumps seems to have virtually turned into a ‘cottage industry’ at Kuchatola, Kunjapani, Kundruburu, Kaltabasti and Torabasti villages. Poor villagers are engaged in converting lumps into size ores before they directly find way to unscrupulous steel and iron industries. It is learnt that illegal mining of iron ore is spread over a radius of 50 km at Ganua, Karmanga, Indipur, Patmunda, Paturi, Dengula, Raikala and Bandala. The Jaladihi area is in target for illegal extraction of manganese and bauxite ores. Sundargarh district CPM secretary Banamali Dhupal claimed that one-tenth area of SAIL’s Taldihi mines has been emptied as the company is yet to begin operation. He estimated that in the past three years iron ores worth over ` 1,000 crore was stolen and a series of letters by his party highlighting rampant illegal mining evoked no response. He pressed for arresting of those involved in the loot for anti-national activities. Dhupal seems to be right in his observation as those engaged in the illegal acts return to the trade after being released from jail as the existing laws are too soft to act as a deterrent.Stating that most of the mafia had gone underground, Rourkela SP Himanshu Lal asserted that police action would continue.
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