Four vehicles engaged in illegal mining impounded

Mahesh Chander Sharma

SUNDERNAGAR, January 19

The district administration has at last initiated action against the mining mafia which was engaged in illegal operations for a long time in Maloh, area near here. An anti-mining team comprising officials of different department has impounded four vehicles engaged in illegal mining.

The local residents had made numerous complaints to various departments pertaining to illegal mining which was going on in this area for long time but none of departments initiated action against the mining mafia.

The local residents even forwarded their grievances to the Chief Minister office but without any success.

The residents shared their grievances with the media person. When the newspersons started enquiries and the matter was highlighted the administration swung into action and impounded four vehicles — three JCV machines and a tipper — engaged in illegal mining operations. The officials concerned pointed out that challans were issued under the Mining Act today.

The residents of Maloh village were annoyed over the inaction of mining department and expressed their displeasure to the mining officer who visited the Maloh area following the publication of news along with the officials of the district administration and police.

The illegal mining in Sundernagar was started at various sites as the material was required for the Kiratpur – Manali four-lane project. A large number of vehicles can be seen moving stones to the site of the four-laning project. Interestingly, these vehicles were never checked by the officials mining department.

The residents of Maloh feel that the action of mining department should continue so that illegal mining be stopped completely.