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Illegal sand mining kills school girl at Paneri

By Correspondent - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

KALAIGAON, Sept 8 - Illegal sand and stone mining at Bhutiachang, Kulsi and Gitibari in Udalguri district has been causing serious concern to the locals since the last three years.

Recently, a school going girl died when she fell into a deep water-filled ditch caused by illegal sand mining by crusher owners at the Kulsi river bed. The tragic incident occurred on September 6 evening. According to information one Kalpana Goura, a class VIII student of Khoirajungle Bilika Bidyalaya, accidentally fell into a 12-feet deep water-filled ditch on the Kulsi river bed. The girl was immediately rushed to Paneri hospital where she was declared dead.

Various Adivasi student organisations and people of Paneri assembled at the Paneri Forest IB on September 7 demanding action against crusher owners and the concerned forest officials. The agitated people staged a dharna on MB Road disrupting vehicular traffic. The people submitted a memorandum to Ritottam Bora, Circle Officer, Harisinga Revenue Circle on the spot demanding early action including banning of all illegal sand and stone mining and compensation to the family of the girl.

It needs mentioning that crusher owners on most times violate government norms taking advantage of official weaknesses. They collect sand and stones anywhere, even from the depth of ten to twelve feet thereby creating death traps for school children and animals.

The government too incurs loss of big revenue and royalty.