Jajpur,16/09(PPT): Kidney ailments seem to be stalking Odisha’s Jajpur district’s Sukinda block.
Apparently chromite mining has been responsible for two deaths on an average every month this year. On Saturday, 51-year-old Bhima Saradar, who worked in the chromite mines at Kalarangiatta village, died at home in Rasola village.
“This was the 18th death in Sukinda owing to renal failure in nine months, while 50 more are battling for life,” Dr Sibashis Moharana, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Jajpur, said.
Asked about the reason for the kidney ailments, Dr Moharana added, “Many suffer from chronic kidney diseases in the mining areas. Those living in such areas often have stones in their kidney because of drinking water with high concentration of minerals.” “Around four workers have died in a month after suffering from kidney-related ailments,” Bharat Chandra Mohant, a trade union leader in Kaliapani, saidSukinda valley has 97 percent of the country’s chromite ore deposits and has the largest open-cast chromite ore mines in the world, sources said.
The 2,500-odd residents of the block are dependent on mining for their livelihood.
“I told my son not to work in the chromite mine, but he did not listen. Now I am shouldering the burden of my family,” said 65-year-old Ghana Tiria, who lost his son to kidney ailment. Like Tiria, many villagers have lost their sons, brothers and relatives to kidney related problems.
“Large-scale illegal mining of chromite has been posing a danger to the residents of Kaliapani, Puranapani and other villages in Sukinda areas. We had staged several protests against illegal chromite mining activities in the villages, but no one paid heed to our pleas,” alleged Jagajiban Das, a trade union leader in the district. When contacted, Bibhuti Bhusan Behera, Deputy Director Of Mines, Jajpur, said, “Few mining workers have died due to kidney ailments for which we recently chalked out a plan with the CDMO to check the disease.
We are organising free medical camps in the areas to treat the patients. We also directed mine owners to abide by the general safety culture by providing helmets, masks, safety shoes and jackets to all the workers. We will take legal action against mining companies which violate safety norms.”
Former minister Prafulla Ghadai said, “Awareness drives should be taken in the region by the state government.Besides, free dialysis units should be opened to the kidney-affected patients.”
Priti Ranjan Ghadai, also a former minister and ex-legislator, said the state government must provide adequate social security measures to the affected persons and their families. Besides, free healthcare, education and other facilities need to be extended to them.
(Report by A.K.Raut)