Riverside villagers opposed against illegal sand mining by blocking the sand-laden vehicles

By Akshaya Rout

Jajpur,July 10  : Large numbers of  riverside villagers  under Vyasanagar Tahasil of  Jajpur district    on Saturday night opposed the illegal transportation of sand- laden  heavy vehicles  on the river embankment by blocking the vehicles.

They are  up-in-arms against the district administration and sand mafias for  illegal sand mining  at the  river Salandi .

Many villagers alleged that some  sand mafias are damaging the river embankments and village roads in a clear nexus with ruling party leaders  and venal officials

When contacted   Bikram Kumar Mallick the Additional   Tahasildar said “ We along with police  rushed to the riverside villages after some locals blocked the transportation  of  sand- laden vehicles .  We directed all the sand lease holders to repair the village roads and river embankments soon . The authorities  also directed all the  sand lifters to obtain  environmental clearance from the government before  lifting sand. The district administration has formed a special team to check illegal sand quarry works “.