Jalaun farmers threaten mass self-immolation against mining mafia

KANPUR: Farmers in Jalaun district of Bundelkhand have threatened mass self-immolation on April 7 at Balu Ghat on banks of the Betwa to oppose alleged illegal mining which is destroying their crops.
“Mafia groups engaged in illegal mining are using JCBs, tractor-trolleys and trucks for digging and transporting sand and gravel. These vehicles pass through our farms, particularly during late night or early morning and destroy our crops.These incidents have grown in the last couple of years resulting in huge monetary losses to us,” said Satyendra Pratap, a farmer of Tikar village. He and his fellow villagers blamed the state government, district administration and forest department for neglecting the issue for years.
The villagers also alleged that when they tried put up resistance, they were threatened of dire consequences by the mining mafia.
Panna Lal, another villager, said: “When I went to the area along with members of the electronic media, I was threatened by the men of the mining contractors.”
“The region is already under the grip of drought and now mining mafia is spoiling our crops. Since 2014, we have been apprising the authorities about illegal mining in the area but no action has been taken. We have no other option left but to collectively resort to the extreme step,” he told TOI. “Mass self-immolation may force the authorities to take action.”
“Not only our crops, but JCB machines, trucks and tractor-trolleys carrying sand and gravel have also damaged roads in the area,” said Manvendra Singh, another villager. “We cannot ride even a bicycle since roads have been badly damaged,” he alleged.
Jalaun sub-divisional magistrate Anand Kumar said, “Mining in the area has been stopped and a team comprising of the local tehsildar has been dispatched to the spot to assess the situation.”
SDM further said the administration would take suitable action after conducting an inquiry.