No free run for mining mafias: Rights panel sounds crackdown in Panchkula

The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged illegal mining in Panchkula, which it described as a grave threat to law, environment and public safety. The Commission’s full bench, led by chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and Members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, issued strong directives to hold violators accountable and protect both nature and civil servants.

The Commission’s action follows an alarming incident where Sub-Inspector Rajbir Singh, posted at Amravati Police Post, was allegedly chased and threatened by illegal miners while on duty.

Despite earlier arrests of government officials allegedly involved in collusion with these networks, illegal excavation continues across critical zones such as Pinjore-Nalagarh Road, Mallah Road, Morni, Raipur Rani, Barwala, and Chandi Mandir, often within ecologically sensitive areas.

The Commission emphasised that such activities constitute violations not only of Indian statutes but also international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Article 12).

Justice Batra underlined that Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Life, inherently includes the right to live in a clean and safe environment. The unchecked mining activities have reportedly destroyed agricultural lands, polluted water bodies, and displaced village communities—stripping them of both dignity and livelihood.

The Commission noted institutional failure at multiple levels—ranging from district administration to municipal bodies—and questioned the repeated inaction despite numerous complaints by locals and elected representatives.

According to Dr Puneet Arora, the HHRC’s Protocol and Information Officer, the full bench has made it unequivocally clear that a “zero-tolerance” stance will be adopted towards environmental crimes. Strict legal action is to follow, and concerned departments have been summoned to appear before the Commission on August 19, 2025, with their action-taken reports.