ED asks cops to act against illegal mining in Sahibganj

Ranchi: The enforcement directorate (ED) on Friday asked the Sahibganj superintendent of police to take necessary action in connection with the ongoing illegal mining in the Mundro block of the district.
In a letter to the SP, the ED said despite a case (ECIR/RMZO/07/2023) registered by it against Pankaj Mishra, the representative of chief minister Hemant Soren in the Barhait constituency, and others in connection with illegal mining in Mundro, an inspection on April 5 has revealed that the unlawful activity is still underway in the area.
Notably, the ED is investigating the case related to illegal mining and money laundering against Mishra, and others including Bishnu Yadav. The central agency had carried out inspections in the district between July 25 and 29, 2022 which revealed the matter linked to illegal mining in the Nimbo Pahad. During the re-inspection of one of the mining sites by a team, including officials of the ED and the local administration on April 5 this year, it was found that further extraction of coal was still done. “For further verification, the team used a drone camera and got aerial views and pictures while a few of the team members also managed to go to the top of the site. Several fresh holes were dug and explosives were found inserted for blasting. Fresh wheel marks of heavy vehicles connecting the mining sites to the main road were also visible. Marks indicating fresh use of Poclain vehicles, excavators and earth movers for excavation and dumping were visible at the mining sites,” the ED letter to the SP said.
It added, “That illegal mining was continuing at the site is evident and the local population informed that mining activities were being carried out during the night. The information gathered in April and July last year was also being forwarded for preventive action.”
The ED had earlier claimed that illegal mining worth Rs 1,000 crore has taken place in the area.