JMM threatens action against illegal iron ore trade

Jamshedpur: Amid reports of rampant illegal mining of iron ore in West Singhbhum district, the JMM district committee has passed a resolution to confront the mining mafias and stop the illegal export of the natural mineral.In their representation to the DC, Chandan Kumar, JMM leaders have demanded action against those involved in illegal mining and transportation of iron ore, else they threatened to take the mafias head-on by blocking the movement of the lorries ferrying the natural resources illegally out of the district.“Millions of tonnes of iron ore are being mined and exported daily from Noamundi, Kiriburu, Gua, Meghahatuburu and Badajamda with the connivance of the district mining and police officials for the last two years,” alleged JMM district president Sonaram Deogam.In their petition to the DC on April 8, JMM leaders accused three persons — Sunny Singh, Arvind Chaurasia and Santosh Sahu alias Dibra — of operating the network of illegal mining and transportation.From the insiders of this trade, we have learnt that Sunny Singh, who is a resident of Ranchi, is the kingpin, while Dibra and Arvind, residents of Barajamda and Chaibasa, regulate the operations in the field, Deogam said.The JMM leader said that he has no clue whether the three aforementioned persons are members of any political party.“All we know is that they are close to a former CM of the state who happens to be a leader of our district,” Deogam claimed.“It was during his regime that illegal mining and export of the iron ore to the tune of millions of rupees took place,” Deogam said.The JMM leader said that illegal mining is not only incurring a loss of millions of rupees to the state exchequer, but it is also bringing bad name to the state govt.The DC, meanwhile, has said that written instructions have been given to the police and mining officials to probe the allegations and take tangible action against the culprits.“I have asked the SP and the DMO to take necessary action in this regard,” the DC said.