দ্বিতীয় পচামি হয়ে উঠছে আসানসোল–বারাবনি বিধানসভার গোরাণ্ডি এলাকা

Fearless Bengali, Tribal community has now started protesting against illegal stone quarrying and crusher machines that have been going on for a long time in Gorandi-Kaskuli area of ​​Asansol-Barabani assembly area. Alleging inaction by the administration, a written memorandum has been submitted to the District Magistrate of West Vandaman district on behalf of Bharat Zakat Maaji Pargana Mahal. The memorandum demanded immediate stoppage of illegal mining and crushers.Tribal community alleges that stone quarrying and crushers are being carried out indiscriminately in Gorandi area without any kind of government permission. As a result, forest land is being destroyed extensively. The allegation is that thousands of trees are being cut and this illegal activity is being carried out by luring some local people for a little money.As mentioned in the memorandum, these mines and crushers do not have any permit from the Pollution Control Board, nor any valid mining permit from the state or central government. Yet the stones are being broken through regular explosions. Allegation, explosives have been secretly stored at various places in the forest. Due to the intensity of the explosion, the entire area is shaking and cracks are visible in the houses of the surrounding villages. Swapan Murmu, member of Bharat Zakat Survey Center, said,“Our society has been the protector of water, forest and land since ages. Forest is like a god to us. If someone destroys the forest illegally, the tribal community will not remain silent. We will protect our culture and nature till our last breath.” Due to complaints from local residents, dust and pollution from the crusher have made normal living impossible. It is difficult to breathe, the roof of the house, clothes and even food is being covered with dust. Due to illegal mining, it has become difficult to live in the entire area.Tribal society claims, the matter was earlier reported to Barabani police station, but no effective action was taken. Due to the silence of the administration, they were finally forced to submit a memorandum to the District Magistrate. According to experts, first D.C.R. (DCR) system: Mine owners run mines by paying a monthly fee of around Rs. 80 thousand. But even that system would have grossly violated explosives and environmental regulations. In view of this, the state government launched a new mining policy in 2016. According to that policy, the government itself sells stones from government land through auction and in case of digging in private land, permission is given for five years for about seven and a half acres of land. But for that, NOC from many departments including Geological Survey of India, Pollution Control Board, Forest Department is mandatory. Allegation, the person running the mine in Gorandi area collected LY papers only by submitting some land related documents. But permission from any other office required for excavation was not taken. Yet, by lifting stones worth crores of rupees every day, the government is facing huge revenue loss. The biggest matter of concern is that a huge amount of explosives are stored in the forest. If this detonator falls into wrong hands, then there can be a big threat to the security of Asansol area in future. Now let's see when and what kind of strict action the district administration takes in view of this serious allegation.