No consent, no mining: Bastar villagers protest limestone projects
Bastar | Correspondent: Anger among villagers in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh over the operation of multiple minor mineral mines. On Thursday, villagers surrounded administrative officials during a joint public hearing in Piplavand Gram Panchayat, forcing police to intervene and help officials leave the spot.
The protest was against limestone mining, a minor mineral, which villagers say has caused serious damage to their homes, farms, and water sources.
According to villagers, more than 14 limestone mines are operating in the Bastar block. Continuous blasting has led to cracks in houses, broken cement roofs, and in some cases, roof collapses. Dust from the mines has settled on farmlands, affecting crops.
Villager Sondhar told CG Khabar that under mining rules, there should be a two-kilometre safety zone between mining activity and residential areas. However, he said his house is located closest to the mining plot, on the same survey land.
He alleged that mine officials claim no blasting is carried out, but said this is false. “Several times, blasting has caused the cement sheet roof of my house to collapse, putting my family and me at risk,” he said.
Villagers said that despite repeated complaints at local police stations, no action has been taken. They added that farming has become difficult and borewell water is no longer safe for drinking.
“The entire stone-crushing operation is being carried out illegally. Despite the large-scale mining, there is a shortage of gravel and other materials, and no real development is happening in our area. The government and industrialists are running this operation dishonestly. When villagers raise their voices against these wrong practices, action is taken against us instead, and we are sent to jail”, he further added.
Consent should be taken through the Gram Sabha, and no activity should move forward until a decision is made there, villagers added.
Residents claimed they have repeatedly complained to the police and concerned departments, but no action has been taken. They alleged that the mines are being run in violation of rules and with the support of the administration.
According to mining rules, there should be no residential area within a two-kilometre radius of a mine. However, villagers said their houses are located on the same land where mining is taking place, yet blasting continues.
The Additional Collector, SDM, Tehsildar, and mining officials attended the joint public hearing. Villagers alleged that after hearing their problems, officials ended the hearing without giving any clear decision or assurance and tried to leave.
Angered by this, villagers blocked the officials’ vehicles. The situation became tense, and police were called in to control the crowd and allow the officials to leave safely.
Villagers said they were never informed when the mines were set up in 2002. The administration, however, claims mining started in 2006 with villagers’ consent. Residents strongly denied this, saying no consent was ever taken.
Villagers also alleged that mine owners promised local employment, but instead, workers from other states were hired. They further claimed that the royalty meant for village panchayats is not being paid, resulting in poor roads, lack of drinking water, and no healthcare facilities.
Tension remains high between villagers and the administration in the Piplavand area. Residents have warned that if a permanent solution is not found soon, they will launch a large-scale agitation.
Administrative officials declined to comment on the issue. Attempts by CG Khabar to get responses from the SDM and Additional Collector CP Baghel were unsuccessful.
