SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, April 5: Illegal sand mining in Jharkhand has snowballed into a full-blown political confrontation, cutting across party lines and exposing fault lines within the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ alliance, even as the opposition BJP sharpens its attack.
At the centre of the latest escalation is BJP spokesperson and former Godda MLA Amit Mandal, who launched a sharp critique of the Hemant Soren-led government, calling its approach to sand regulation “an attempt at the impossible.”
BJP’s Attack: Promises vs Ground Reality
Addressing a press conference in Ranchi, Mandal questioned the implementation of key announcements made by Chief Minister Hemant Soren in the Assembly—particularly the promise of free sand for the poor.
He asked whether citizens are actually receiving the promised quota of up to 2,000 cubic feet of sand free of cost, and alleged that measures such as district-level task forces and CCTV surveillance at sand ghats remain largely unimplemented.
Mandal also linked illegal sand mining to rising fatalities on roads, claiming that accidents involving heavy vehicles transporting sand—such as Hyva trucks—are claiming 12–14 lives every day. Citing data, he said over 4,200 deaths have already been recorded in 2025, surpassing previous years and even exceeding the state’s total COVID-era fatalities.
He further alleged the involvement of organised networks, naming “Mahalakshmi Transport” and demanding a fair probe to uncover the full extent of illegal operations.
Congress Flags Issue, Targets Government
The issue gained political traction after Congress leaders, including Jharkhand in-charge K. Raju, raised concerns about the growing influence of “mining mafias” in the state. The party has questioned law and order and accused the administration of failing to act decisively.
In Godda, Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav has formally written to the Deputy Commissioner, alleging large-scale illegal sand mining along the Geruwa River in Pathargama. He claimed that around 150 vehicles are transporting sand, with illegal collections of up to ₹18,500 per vehicle every day.
According to him, the unchecked mining has led to falling water levels, worsening water scarcity, and damage to agricultural land, triggering public anger.
RJD Hits Back, Minister Offers Probe
The allegation triggered a strong rebuttal from RJD leader and minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav, who dismissed the criticism as politically motivated.
In a significant statement, the minister said he is willing to face an investigation himself and would resign immediately if found guilty. He added that he has already informed the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, and called for an impartial probe into the entire issue.
Yadav also turned the focus back on the BJP, stating that illegal sand and stone mining is not new and dates back to the previous government’s tenure. He demanded that any investigation should also cover that period.
He further questioned selective targeting by Congress leaders and asked why concerns over fatalities caused by overloaded sand vehicles in certain areas have not been consistently raised.
Alliance Tensions and Political Undercurrents
The controversy has also exposed tensions within the ruling alliance. While Congress leaders continue to question governance, JMM leaders have hit back sharply. Party spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya recently described Congress as a “venomous two-headed snake,” highlighting the growing strain.
BJP’s Mandal sought to link the controversy to larger political dynamics, including the Assam Assembly elections, alleging that internal discord stems from past electoral rivalries and funding disputes among alliance partners.
A Statewide Crisis Beyond Godda
Though Godda has emerged as the immediate flashpoint, the issue of illegal sand mining appears to be widespread across Jharkhand. Allegations of mafia control, administrative inaction, environmental damage, and loss of revenue have surfaced from multiple districts.
What began as a local complaint has now evolved into a statewide governance and political challenge—fueling opposition attacks, internal alliance friction, and public concern.
With demands for probes growing louder and political rhetoric intensifying, illegal sand mining is set to remain a central issue in Jharkhand’s political discourse in the coming weeks.