One more booked under stringent law for illegal mining
By IANSWednesday, April 7, 2010
BHUBANESWAR - Orissa police Thursday slapped the National Security Act (NSA) on one more person in the states mineral rich Kenojhar district over crimes related to mining, taking the total people booked under the act in the region to three, officials said.
Kadai Majhi, 32, was arrested last month from Joda area for his involvement in at least eight criminal cases which included rioting, looting, assault, and keeping arms illegally, district Superintendent of Police A.K.Singh told IANS.
Under the provisions of the NSA, he may be kept in detention for up to one year without trial.
Investigations into illegal mining in Orissa by various state and central agencies started after some politicians alleged in July last year that some mines were being operated without licences.
Since January, more then 150 people have been arrested in the district, 235 km from Bhubaneswar, for their involvement in crimes related to mining. Police had slapped the NSA against two of them last month.
Police said many of the arrested people had formed a syndicate and were earning crore of rupees by illegally raising and transporting iron ore from the district. Police said they were also involved in several murders and extortion cases.
