Following rumors of gemstone discoveries beneath the Earth, a small village in the Boudh district of Odisha has been engulfed in excitement. The village of Khuntiapada is a flurry of activity as residents work hard to dig in the hopes of striking it rich, motivated by stories of valuable stones being discovered.

Reports of gemstones concealed in Khuntiapada's soil have gone viral, sending locals into a frenzy. In the hopes of discovering priceless treasures, people of all ages are actively searching the soil for these precious stones.

The uproar began following road construction work in the village. The gemstone hunt started unintentionally during a road construction project when contractors excavated soil and inadvertently exposed these mysterious stones. Since then, residents, irrespective of age, have been engaged in this search.

According to unconfirmed reports, black marketers are reportedly paying the locals between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 per kilogram for these potential treasures.

Despite the frenzy, the precise nature and value of the stones remain undetermined, awaiting expert identification. However, authorities concerned are yet to identify the true nature and origin of these stones, leaving many questions unanswered.

When contacted, local authorities say that the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Boudh police, and they are aware of the situation. However, no official statement has been released yet on the nature of these alleged precious stones.

“The precious stones were discovered a couple of days ago. Since then, people are coming here in huge numbers to dig them out. Mostly poor people are digging out the stones, in the hope of earning some money. I was also here for the stones and have found some,” a local stated.