New Delhi: Life in the tribal-dominated Mandla district of MP has practically come to a halt since last fortnight.
The reason is the sudden discovery of precious stones here. Villagers everywhere are digging earth and sifting soil to make money.
Schemes like MNREGS have no takers and even farming has been put on hold as villagers are busy digging and sifting their way to riches.
Few months ago a similar hype was created in UP where the seer of Daundia Khera village of Unnao created his gold dream but not a speck of the precious metal was found.
With jewellers from many corners of the country stationing themselves here and willing to pay handsome price, the gem hunt has turned into a 24x7 obsession in neighboring villages as well.
According to the news report, buyers, mostly jewellers from Nagpur, Delhi, Jaipur and Noida, are willing to pay anything between Rs.1,800 to Rs.2,500 per gram for the find.
The stones were first discovered near the ruins of Taragarh fort, once inhabited by Gondwana rulers, and tribals would sell them for a pittance. But now they are being found everywhere within 40 km radius.
