CPI activists block highway to protest sand mining

Our Correspondent
Fazilka, July 16

A large number of Communist Party of India (CPI) activists blocked the Fazilka-Ferozepur highway for two hours to protest the alleged illegal sand mining here today.

Fazilka district unit CPI secretary Hans Raj Golden and Surinder Singh Dhandian alleged that the sand mafia in connivance with officials concerned had been swindling the government exchequer and amassing huge amount by excavating sand from different parts of the district.

They alleged that the sand mafia had been digging quarries much deeper than the stipulated 10-ft depth causing damage to the natural resources and posing threat to nearby agricultural and inhabited area.

Golden said the activists had warned the police and civil administration last week about blocking the highway, but nothing was done. The activists had launched an agitation last week and burnt the effigy of police officials in one village daily for seven days for their alleged involvement in illegal sand mining and inaction in some of the criminal cases registered earlier.

The dharna was lifted when senior police officials reached the site and assured the protesters of suitable action against illegal trade of white sand.