The Tribune, January 19, 2002

‘Mining mafia’ exploiting truckers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18
A Dhanbad-style mafia has allegedly emerged in the mining belt of Bhiwani district, which has been “extorting” money from truckers and tractor-trailer owners operating in the area.

Levelling this allegation, the Congress MLA from the Tosham Assembly constituency, Mr Dharamvir, submitted a memorandum to the Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, here today. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the activities of the mining mafia, which, he alleged, was patronised by a member of the ruling family.

Later talking to newsmen, Mr Dharamvir said barriers had been erected by certain anti-social elements on all roads leading to the Khanak, Nigana, Dadam and Delheri areas of Bhiwani district since December 12. These elements, he alleged, were collecting Rs 250 to Rs 2000 per vehicle carrying crushed stone. This way, they were collecting about Rs 15 lakh per day.

Alleging that an office-bearer of the youth wing of the INLD was acting as the front man of those who were collecting money.

He said when residents of the area complained to the Deputy Commissioner and officials of the Mines and Geology Department, they denied that anybody had been authorised to collect such money.

Mr Dharamvir said about 200 stone crushers were functioning in the area and about 50,000 persons were dependent on the crushers and other mining activities for their livelihood. They had been badly hit by the activities of the mafia.

He said the Governor had assured him that he would inquire into his allegations. He said during the proposed visit of the Governor to Bhiwani on January 27, a large number of people from the area would meet him and apprise him of the situation.