MLA threatens protest against illegal mining

Satinder Pal Singh
Zirakpur, December 9

Local MLA NK Sharma on Monday raised voice against illegal mining going on unchecked near Chhat village in Zirakpur.

Flagging the issue during his visit at the site, he said the mining mafia has dug around 40-foot-deep pits in the area near the Chhat village just behind the Chhatbir zoo which poses a threat to the environment and soil. It is also causing a big loss to the state exchequer.

The MLA, who visited the site along with the villagers, found evidence of illegal mining in the village. Fresh tyre marks are also visible in the area. One poclain machine was also found from the spot. The MLA said he would not even hesitate to sit on a dharna in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office, if the administration failed to check illegal mining. He said the residents of Chhat and nearby villages would be on roads if the illegal mining was not stopped.

He alleged that district authorities, including the police and officials of mining, drainage and revenue departments, seem to have turned a blind eye to the large-scale illegal mining in Dera Bassi Sub-Division, especially at Chhat village. Villagers say a large number of tippers can be seen loading the material every night.

Mining mafia had got emboldened due to lackadaisical attitude of the district administration, he alleged. Moreover, no action was taken against the owner of a poclain machine which was seized when the team under the supervision of Dera Bassi Sub-Divisional Magistrate (additional Incharge) Himanshu Jain, DSP, Dera Bassi Gurbakshish Singh along with district mining officer conducted field verification at villages in Chhat near Zirakpur last month.

Locals alleged that movement of tippers and tractor-trailers loaded with sand during odd hours gives a clear hint of illegal mining.

The MLA regretted that state agencies such as mining, forest, police were well-versed with the situation. Sharma has also been maintaining that illegal mining was rampant in this area despite him taking up the issue at various levels. He sought immediate and strict action against the guilty after initiating an investigation into the same at the earliest.