Another tragic event associated with illegal mining has been used to bring into focus severe safety issues in the area as the life of a young man was lost after being run over by a speeding tractor in Lodhi village under the Hata outpost area in Hanumana.
The victim, who was named Rajbhan Saket, was killed on the spot when he allegedly fell under the wheels of the heavily loaded tractor with the stone slabs and chips. The accident took place close to a transformer plant, outside a local building called Pappu Singh hut. Eyewitnesses claimed that the tractor was overloaded and traveling at a high speed when the deadly accident occurred.
Information sent to the police at the Hata outpost had them rushing to the scene, after which Station House Officer Anil Kakde and other officers arrived. The tractor in question is allegedly associated with a local man, Rajendra Bahadur Singh, aka Pappu. The event attracted a huge number of villagers with most of them being angered and fearful of the frequent threats the illegal mining operations have on them.
The locals claimed that mass illegal mining has been a long-standing issue although it has been reported and complained about. They allege that the absence of tough measures has emboldened mining mafias, whose lives are always at risk. It was also alleged that some of the powerful people tried to influence police officers on the ground to take no serious measures.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the matter. Nonetheless, the accident has again posed grave concerns on laxity in enforcement and the escalating threat of illegal mining in the area.