Illegal mining tragedy: Koida police launch manhunt

Rourkela: Koida police in Bonai subdivision of Sundargarh district on Friday launched a manhunt for a man accused of engaging several people in illegal manganese mining inside Malda Khesra Forest, where one of the workers died and another sustained grievous injuries after a heap of soil collapsed on them.Deceased Krish Kachhap (20) and injured Raj Munda (20) were natives of Keonjhar district. Munda is undergoing treatment at a hospital.Police said Kachhap and Munda, along with others, were engaged on Wednesday afternoon by Ram Balmuch to extract manganese ore from Malda Khesra forest illegally when a heap of soil suddenly collapsed on them. The other workers rescued both the youths, and took them to a hospital at Joda in Keonjhar district, where doctors declared Kachhap brought dead and admitted Mn.

While enquiring at the hospital, doctors reportedly learnt that a heap of soil collapsed on the two youths.

Suspecting the activities, hospital authorities informed Rugudi police station in Keonjhar district, and Rugudi police, after a preliminary enquiry, informed Koida police station on Thursday.Koida police seized the body and, after speaking to family members of Krish and Raj, learnt that Ram Balmuch engaged them and some other persons in illegal manganese mining in Malda forest.

Koida police on Thursday registered a case of negligence against Ram Balmuch, which caused Krish’s death and grievous injury to Raj. Police said Balmuch absconded after they started searching for him.On Friday, due to doctors’ strike, the post mortem of Krish could not be done in the Koida area, and police sent the body to Keonjhar District headquarters hospital on Friday. After the post mortem, his body was handed over to his family.said Hursikesh Pradhan, Sub Inspector, Koida police station.