NHRC Seeks Report from Nayagarh Admin for Death of 2 kids

BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report from District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Odisha’s Nayagarh district over the death of two children by drowning in an open quarry filled with rain water.

Acting on a complaint filed by rights campaigner Subash Mohapatra, the rights panel on Friday sought a report within four weeks.

The complainant alleged that a mining mafia in connivance with the local administration is indulged in illegal mining of stone quarries in Ranpur area of Nayagrh.

On January 9 this year, two children namely Subham and Sipun met a watery grave in an open quarry filled with rain water. The incident occurred in Sikharpur village under Majhiakhand locality under Ranpur block in Nayagarh.

“The mining mafias, without due environment clearance and other requirements from the concerned authorities, engaged in illegal mining of stone queries and left the space open. During the rainy season, the public place filled with water and now subsequently has been a threat to life and environment,” said Mohapatra.

He alleged that the local administration having unholy nexus with mining mafia did not take action against them.

 “In Nayagarh district, including Ranpur, several minor mining projects continue as the authorities turn a blind eye to the matter. The officials from forest and environment department, including state pollution control board remain, silent spectators,” he alleged.