7 hours ago
Controlled blasts by pvt co trigger panic in Bahraich
Lucknow: Controlled explosions by a private company in agricultural fields for a seismic survey triggered panic in parts of Mahsi tehsil in Bahraich on Saturday.
The blasts were allegedly carried out without informing the local administration, police, or elected representatives.
The operation, linked to Mission Anveshan, a govt of India project to identify hydrocarbon potential in onshore sedimentary basins, was being carried out by Hyderabad-based Alpha Geo India Ltd. The firm is tasked with conducting 2D seismic surveys across seven basins under the directive of ministry of petroleum.
However, villagers panicked when they saw cables being laid and blast preparations underway. BJP MLA from Mahsi, Sureshwar Singh, rushed to the site and confronted officials.
"This is a serious breach of protocol. Explosives were being used just two days before the Chief Minister's scheduled visit to the district, without a word to the DM, SP, or even gram pradhans. I've spoken to home secretary Sanjay Prasad and urged that the CM's visit be deferred until a thorough inquiry is completed," he said.
Bahraich ADM Gaurav Ranjan confirmed that the local administration was not informed.
An engineer of the company claimed they obtained permission from the district collector in Feb.
ASP, Bahraich, DP Tiwari said a probe was being conducted.
