Bhubaneswar, July 2 -- At least three labourers, all tribals, engaged in extracting manganese ores from an illegal mine in Odisha's Keonjhar district were crushed to death after huge debris fell on them, police said today.
The accident took place at Dala Pahada hillock within the protected forest area where the mining activity is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act. Heavy rain that lashed the area triggered a landslide leading to the death of three labourers, said inspector-in-charge, Joda Police Station, Sushant Pradhan.
The deceased are identified as Sandeep Purty (32), Kande Munda (19), Guru Champia (18), all natives of forest-side Bichakundi village under Joda police station limits. Their bodies were retrieved from the debris...