VACB spots illegal storage of explosive materials at quarries

The recent Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) inspections at stone quarries in Kozhikode district have brought to light flaws in tracking illegal inter-State transportation of explosive materials to the district. The squad found that quarry operators had violated rules for buying and storing explosive materials.

VACB sources said that stock beyond the permitted quantity was found in eight quarries during the inspection. Also, the squad spotted serious laxity in the granting of explosives licence and permit by local bodies for operation of quarries. The local police had been asked to investigate the violations.

According to VACB sources, local administrators and Mining and Geology Department officials were lax about inspections at quarries and had failed to ensure owners’ compliance with mining regulations. During inspections by the VACB, explosive materials were found left in unsafe locations. The VACB conducted surprise checks simultaneously at various locations on a tip-off. There were complaints that local bodies and some officials had gone out of their way to favour quarry operators.

When contacted, some grama panchayat officials said it was the responsibility of the police to check illegal purchase and shipping of explosive materials to 118 quarries in the district. The local bodies deal with the procedures to grant running licence after reviewing documents submitted for clearance, the officials claimed.

Frequent inspections a must

V.K. Vinod, president of Karassery panchayat where a large number of quarries are operational, said the Geology Department and the police were supposed to carry out frequent inspections to check the stock of explosives at quarries and the quantity being used for explosions during permitted hours. “We have also come to know about the recent seizures of gelatine sticks from places like Mukkom and Thamarassery. They were illegally brought to the district thanks to security flaws,” he said.

An accidental seizure that revealed suspected foul play by quarry operators in procuring huge stock of explosives was at Mukkom, where the police managed to intercept a truck carrying 1,000 kg of gelatin sticks. The truck, driven by a Tamil Nadu native, was trapped during a surprise road checking.

Though the police had initially claimed the involvement of an Andhra Pradesh native in the incident, the follow-up investigation lost steam midway. The quarry operators suspected of involvement in the incident remained untraced even a month after the incident.