KAS & SMSA claims Nagaland police involved in sand mafia
Our Correspondent
Diphu, May 18 (EMN): Karbi Anglong Sand & Stone Mahaldars and suppliers association (KAS & SMSA) held a consultative meet towards protecting the natural resources of Karbi Anglong with various social organisations of the district at Karbi Lammet Amei office in Rongtheang on May 18 Friday.
The consultative meet was held with a view to share the views and opinions of various organisations in the presence KAS & SMSA towards protecting and keeping a check on the exploitation of the natural resources of the district by outsiders.
Vice president, KAS&SMSA Bijoy Teron in his introductory speech mentioned about the operating system of sand mahals in Karbi Anglong and how the natural resources of the district are being drained out to other states and districts.
Teron said that Karbi Anglong is the richest district in terms of natural resources compared to other districts of Assam. There is huge deposit of sand in rivers, stones, lime stones and coal and crude oil, iron ores and uranium below the ground, these resources are being exploited by outsiders and thereby losing huge revenue by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), he added.
Teron said that the sands transported from Karbi Anglong to neighbouring districts and states on a daily basis can be counted in terms of crore. With the formation of KAS&SMSA, the rate of sand has been made uniform among all sand mahals and to check the sands going out illegally to Dimapur and elsewhere, Teron said.
Teron further said, “per sand loaded truck going from sand quarries is charged INR 13000 here, whereas the same quantity of sand per truck in Dimapur is sold at INR 30,000 and after reaching Manipur it is sold at INR 80,000. From Ouguri in West Karbi Anglong in one day 300 sand loaded trucks go out. This sand goes to Nagaon and upto Guwahati. The sand quarry is controlled by one Jitu Gour of Guwahati. The sand from Balipathar is being taken freely without any valid documents and stones from Parokhuwa are being transported illegally. In this way the resources of Karbi Anglong are being exploited and making profit by outsiders.”
About the activities of social organisations Teron said that the members should be engaged in various source of earning to keep the organisation alive, rather than looking for donations. Teron also claimed that even the Nagaland police are involved in illegal sand transportation. He claimed that trucks of Nagaland police are being used for sand transportation which are being intercepted between Manja and Dillai of NH-36. Such racket of Nagaland police involvement in sand mafia has been taking place for a long time, Teron claimed.
“We are not solely intended towards profit making, but for a uniform fixation of rates of sand and to check on the exploitation of sand and to solve the problems of sand mahals. Several sand load trucks illegally going out are being intercepted with the initiative taken by KAS&SMSA. The rate of sand could be made uniform in all sand quarries," Teron said. The KAS&SMSA is faced with criticism and blame from various quarters, but it stands firm, Teron said.
KAS&SMSA president Sujit Ronghang said that the association would not allow any over loaded sand trucks and if found should be reported. He sought the support and cooperation from social organisations in protecting the natural resources of the district.
There are 23 sand mahals operating in various sand quarries, Ronghang mentioned.
