Bhopal | Oct 09, 2017: With the ban on sand mining being lifted in Madhya Pradesh on September 30, the mafia has stepped up its mining operations around Ken river in Chhatarpur district. After protests against plying of heavy vehicles transporting the mineral across villages leading to pollution and accidents, the sand mafia has blocked a canal in Chandla.
Since the sowing season for rabi crop is underway and water can be released any time from Bariyarpur dam on the Ken river in Chhatarpur, a large number of farmers have expressed serious concern over the blocking of the sub-canal to make way for sand transportation, said Hariram Patel, a farmer living in Amha village in Chandla tehsil of the district.
"People involved in sand mining are raring to go ahead as the water level goes down in Ken river", Patel said.
The farmers have lodged a complaint with the Jal Upbhokta Samiti (water consumer association) at Hinota. Munna Lal Patel, president of the organisation said he is also going to lodge a complaint with the district administration and the water resources department.
Another farmer, Mahendra Singh said, "The sand mafia is making way to access the Nehra sand mines. This will facilitate the transportation of the sand without antagonising the villagers who had objected over the 24X7 plying of trucks".
RB Nayak, an executive engineer of the water resources department said, "I will get the matter investigated. This is a serious issue".
Last year the sarpanch of Hinota had protested against the plying of trucks and staged a 'jal satyagraha' in Ken river.
Mahendra Singh said that water will be released any time from the dam and large number of farmers may be denied irrigation. Besides, he said, many agricultural fields close to the mines are going to be flooded.
Last year, district administrations in Panna and Chhatarpur had even found temporary bridges constructed by the sand mafia. Later the bridges were demolished
(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)