The Chhattisgarh Assembly witnessed a heated debate today regarding the illegal sand mining activities and the thuggery perpetrated by the sand mafia. The opposition brought a motion to discuss the issue, which was rejected by Speaker Dr. Raman Singh. Dissatisfied with the decision, Congress MLAs staged a walkout from the House proceedings.
During the zero hour, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant, along with Bhupesh Baghel, Dwarkadhish Yadav, Umesh Patel, and other Congress MLAs, moved an adjournment motion on this matter. These leaders alleged that illegal sand mining is rampant across the state, carried out by the sand mafia under government protection. They further stated that when locals try to stop the illegal activities, they are assaulted, and in some instances, even shot at. Despite complaints being filed with the police, no action has been taken against the mafia, as they allegedly enjoy the patronage of those in power. The opposition argued that this situation is creating conditions similar to those in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the otherwise peaceful state of Chhattisgarh, thus warranting a discussion on this critical issue. The Speaker, after hearing the opposition members, dismissed the motion, stating that since the subject had already been raised in a ‘Dhyanakarshan’ notice, it could not be discussed in the House. Angered by the Speaker’s decision, the opposition members stood up, raised slogans in the House, and walked out to express their resentment.
