Rajasthan: Victim of mining mafia, families seek govt protection

Victims of an attack by mining mafia in January, four families consisting of over 50 members and children are still looking for shelter after four months of the incident.

The houses of the four families from Chahadia village of Anta police station area were looted as they have fled to Kota due to fear of mining mafia. Their crops were destroyed by running tractors and all their farming equipment was taken away. Moreover, the power connection wires and pillars were destroyed, causing damage of about Rs. 2 crore. The families are still living in with their relatives and more than 10 children could not appear in the 8th and 10th standard examinations.

The affected families are not able to visit their village due to constant threats from the mafia.

The victim families have submitted their complaints to the District Collector and Superintendent of Police for providing support in shifting back to the village again. But, as of now, no action has been taken in the matter, the victims are now sitting on hunger strike outside the District Collectorate, warning the administration of suicide.

The member of one of the victim families Mirza Mazhar Baig said that some people used to come to their farms for illegal mining and they also attacked Azhar on January 17. On the next day, the mining mafia burnt their house situated on the bank of the river. The armed men attacked other family members as well and Bilal Bag suffered critical injuries. Baig added that despite registering a case against the accused, no action has been taken.