Bhubaneswar, Jan. 6 -- The death of two workers in a blast during an illegal mining activity in Odisha's Dhenkanal district has brought the spotlight on the virtual daylight plunder of natural resources in the state with the Opposition Biju Janata Dal warning that "all the mineral resources in the state will be exhausted in the next 5 years as the illegal mining goes unabated".
An explosion in an illegal dolomite mine in Gopalpur village of Dhenkanal district had claimed the lives of two poor workers, leaving many others injured as the unlawful mining was allowed by the BJP government. The mining went on despite its permit and lease expired a few months ago, BJD spokesperson and media moordinator Lenin Mohanty alleged on Monday.
The blast...