Panchkula police crack down on illegal mining

The police have intensified their drive against illegal mining with 17 trucks, one earthmover and two tractor-trailers having been impounded between November 22 and November 29

Following a meeting on October 21 chaired by Police Commissioner Sibash Kabiraj, strict instructions were issued to curb illegal mining across the district. Since then, daily reports of seized vehicles have been sent directly to the Commissioner’s office, which monitors the operations closely.

Two teams from the anti-illegal mining unit, along with local police units of Raipur Rani, Ramgarh, Barwala and Maranwala, have been actively patrolling the area and conducting strict checks at road checkpoints.

Panchkula DCP Srishti Gupta said the Police Department would be writing to the Directorate of Mines and Geology for deputing a team of surveyors to survey mining leases and check if minerals were being extracted according to the approved plans and within the lease boundaries.

The vehicles seized during crackdown on illegal mining are handed over to the Mining Department for further legal action. The DCP added that the police had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining. Sensitive areas are under constant CCTV surveillance, regular field patrolling is being conducted and surprise raids are carried out.