The land of Bastar has endured the dark shadow of Maoism for the past four decades. The Sukma district and police administration, through countless efforts, have tried to heal this wound and achieved a victory in eliminating Maoism. Basic facilities are reaching the Naxal-affected areas, and the winds of development are blowing. However, amid this victory, a new and dangerous threat is raising its head: the black business of sand smuggling, which has once again begun to turn the atmosphere of Sukma into one of insecurity and fear.
The Konta region of Sukma is now becoming notorious for illegal sand transport and the blatant disregard for government regulations. Sand mafias from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are openly engaging in hooliganism. Their audacity is so high that last year, they framed four journalists who wrote against their illegal business in a false ganja (cannabis) case and sent them to jail. The sand smuggling business is operating right under the administration’s nose, and the failure to stop it has only empowered the mafias.
According to the information received, the sand mafia organized a ‘Success Party’ at the CWC complex in Konta to celebrate their crores in sand profits. The presence of local politicians at this gathering made the truth even more bitter. Rivers of liquor flowed, and the intoxicated mafias and their henchmen openly displayed their power.
At 6:15 PM, the mafias and their associates, travelling in two vehicles, arrived at the house of a teacher in Konta, who had an association with the sand business. Heavily intoxicated, they forcibly tried to take him to the border. The struggle continued on the National Highway for 15-20 minutes. The teacher’s mobile phone was snatched. As surrounding people began to gather, the mafias and their henchmen, seeing the crowd, fled towards the border.
‘Mafiaism’ After Maoism… This incident is not just the story of one teacher or one day. It is a sign of the organized crime that could push Sukma into a new era of anarchy in the coming days. The threat of ‘Mafiaism’ now looms after Maoism, and the administration’s role cannot be ignored. The failure of law and order has made these mafias fearless.
The power that arrested the journalists, why is it failing to stop the mafias? Will Sukma, which is progressing towards development, once again be enveloped in the shadow of violence and fear? Are the sand mafias now going to become Sukma’s new ‘headache’ after Maoism?
After winning the battle against Maoism, strict measures must be taken to protect Sukma from this new threat. Otherwise, one black stain will not be erased from Bastar’s forehead; instead, a new one will be added.
Salim Sheikh,
Translated by Shubhakshi
