Mauganj widow accuses crusher operators of seizing her land and mining without permission

A widow from Harraha village in Mauganj district has accused crusher operators of forcibly occupying her land and mining on it without permission. Lalita Maurya went to the Collectorate at 3 pm on Wednesday and submitted an application addressed to the Collector. In it, she has demanded that the mining be stopped and that the matter be investigated impartially.

Lalita Maurya is the wife of the late Udayraj Maurya. According to her, she owns about one hectare of land in Harraha under khasra number 4/3. She alleges that Arun Singh and Upendra Singh began using the land on the basis of a consent letter signed with her husband, but have not paid the agreed amount so far.

Lalita says that after her husband's death, excavation was carried out on about one and a half acres of her land. A dispute over ownership of the land is also now being raised, she said. She alleged that machines have been installed on her land, stone is being excavated and gravel is being made with a crusher. She has also questioned whether there is valid permission for this work.

The woman also alleged that when she objected, she was abused and threatened with assault.

According to Lalita, she has been going from one government office to another for about a year, but the problem has not been resolved. She had also complained to the mining department. She said that although she was assured of an inquiry, the excavation is still going on.

Lalita said that since her husband's death, the entire responsibility for the family rests on her. Her children are young and the family's financial condition is weak.