THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, June 13: The BJP on Saturday demanded that murder charges be filed against the Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) following the deaths of four labourers in an alleged illegal mining accident in the district.
State BJP president Aditya Sahu said strict action should be taken against all those responsible for the incident and warned of a statewide agitation if there was any attempt to cover up the matter.
‘Finance Minister Forced to Conduct Raids Himself’
Targeting the state government, Sahu alleged that the police administration was ignoring directives from senior ministers.
“The situation in Jharkhand is alarming. The police administration is not listening even to the State Finance Minister. Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore is being forced to conduct raids himself. One can only imagine how the government is functioning,” Sahu said.
Questions Government’s Crackdown on Illegal Mining
Sahu said Chief Minister Hemant Soren had recently reviewed the mining department and directed officials to take strict action against illegal mining. He also referred to earlier statements by the Director General of Police (DGP) on curbing illegal mining activities.
“Despite repeated directives, illegal mining continues unabated across the state and the mining mafia is running its empire without fear,” he alleged.
The BJP leader further claimed that government review meetings were aimed at increasing “commission rates” rather than stopping illegal mining.
“The government should make public how many officials and mafia members faced action after the review meetings,” he said.
‘Jharkhand Has Become a Hub of Illegal Mining’
Sahu alleged that illegal mining-related deaths, shootings and bombings had become common in Jharkhand and claimed that such activities were flourishing under political and administrative protection.
He said illegal coal extraction was allegedly taking place at an unauthorised mine in Ramgarh and questioned how such operations could continue without the authorities’ knowledge.
“A major question is under whose patronage such illegal mining is being carried out and what the responsible agencies are doing,” he said.
BJP Warns of Agitation
Referring to investigations by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as well as judicial interventions, Sahu alleged that illegal mining networks continued to operate across Jharkhand, including in Dhanbad and the Santhal Pargana region.
He claimed that the illegal extraction of coal, sand, stone and other mineral resources was continuing unchecked.
“If the government tries to shield the guilty instead of taking action, as has happened in previous cases, the BJP will be compelled to launch an agitation,” Sahu said.