Bhubaneswar, January 16: In a major crackdown, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a significant operation on Friday targeting illegal mining activities in Odisha. The operation, conducted by the ED's Bhubaneswar Zonal Office, focused on mafias engaged in the unauthorized excavation and sale of minor minerals, including sand and black stone, primarily in the Ganjam district.
A press release from the ED revealed that the accused mafias are intricately connected, operating as business partners in the illegal mining network. The operation covered multiple premises linked to brokers, notorious gangsters with criminal backgrounds, and other associates involved in these illicit activities. These individuals, often referred to as "Bahubalis," are notorious for using muscle power and intimidation to carry out illegal mining, exploiting and terrorizing local populations in their areas.
The ED also referenced a recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which highlighted extensive illegal mining activities along the riverbeds of Rushikulya, Bahuda, and Bada Rivers in Ganjam. The CAG's findings pointed to a significant loss to the government exchequer due to these illegal operations.
During the raids, the ED recovered substantial assets, including an almirah filled with liquid cash worth several crores, high-end benami vehicles, and critical documents related to properties, agreements, and mining leases. The authorities confirmed that these assets would be seized as part of their ongoing investigation.
The agency emphasized that the search operation is still in progress, and the exact amount of cash seized, along with further case details, will be disclosed once the investigation concludes. The ED's probe into illegal mining in Odisha is continuing to dismantle these powerful criminal networks.
Sources claim that several individuals implicated in the illegal mining activities are closely linked to prominent political parties. These mafias have reportedly accumulated vast wealth through the illegal extraction and sale of sand and black stone in the Ganjam region.
