Illegal miners back in Dera Bassi village

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, May 31

Illegal mining in Dera Bassi, which was under control following police crackdown for the past several months, has apparently returned to the region.

Though several residents of Kakrali village and the nearby areas have lodged complaints with the administration in the past demanding a ban on illegal mining near their agricultural fields in the village, former Air Force officer Squadron Leader Gulzar Mathauda is still running from pillar to post against the menace. He has written to almost every official, including the District Mining Officer, against the alleged illegal mining near the boundary wall of his piece of land at the village.

Gulzar, in his complaint submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Mohali and the Senior Superintendent of Police, alleged that an FIR, which was lodged by the Mining Department at the Dera Bassi police station on January 8, 2019, was still pending and no action had been taken by the police.

He alleged in his complaint that the Mubarikpur police, along with the SDO, Mining, had visited the said illegal mining site, but to no avail. He alleged that illegal mining would cause damage to his agricultural land.

Residents have alleged that truckloads of sand were still being excavated and transported, thus, questioning the role of the police and other departments concerned.

The villagers say every time a report appears in the media, the authorities take a round of the area and the mining stops for a day or two. However, miners return and start digging again. The illegal mining takes place generally at night.

The District Mining Officer, Mohali, said the Mining Department received a complaint a couple of days ago, following which an official was asked to visit the site. He stated that he was yet to check the present status with the officials, based on which necessary action would be initiated.