A tragic incident at a laterite stone quarry in Indipur village, under Odapada block in Dhenkanal district, Odisha, claimed the life of 47-year-old Akshay Naik, a daily wage worker from Besalia village.
According to initial reports, Naik was working at the quarry when a sudden landslide caused a mound of earth to collapse, burying him and leading to his untimely death. However, Naik’s family alleges foul play, claiming that the quarry owner deliberately used a JCB excavator to kill him over a dispute regarding unpaid wages.
The incident has ignited widespread anger among the residents of Beshalia and Indipur, who have long raised concerns about the unchecked operation of over 22 illegal stone quarries in the area. Locals report that despite previous fatalities—two to three workers have died in similar incidents in the past—the administration has failed to take decisive action to curb illegal mining. The quarries, they claim, continue to operate without proper oversight, endangering lives and exploiting workers.
In response to Naik’s death, enraged villagers blocked the road near the Hanuman temple in Besalia, disrupting the transport of stones from the quarry. They demanded compensation of ₹10 lakh for Naik’s family, citing the quarry owner’s negligence and the alleged intentional act. Police arrived at the scene to pacify the protesters and seized the JCB involved in the incident. The JCB driver, however, remains at large, according to sources.
The tragedy has brought renewed attention to the issue of illegal quarrying in Dhenkanal, with residents accusing the local administration of turning a blind eye to the hazardous operations.
Calls for stricter regulations, thorough investigations, and justice for Naik’s family are growing louder as the community mourns the loss of yet another worker to the perils of unregulated mining.
