217 FIRs in 14 months in F’bad, Palwal against illegal mining
Several villages located in the vicinity of the Yamuna river in the region continue to remain sensitive in matters of illegal mining of river sand. As many as 217 FIRs have been lodged in the past 14 months and a penalty amounting to Rs 97.6 lakh has been imposed in this period.
Revealing that a special drive had been on, sources in the district administration said that Mining Department officials have been instructed to take strict action and measures to curb the menace.
Claiming that with the registration of 117 FIRs in Palwal, another 100 FIRs have been filed in Faridabad since January 2024. While around 188 vehicles have been impounded in Palwal district, a penalty of Rs 90.12 lakh and Rs 7.48 lakh has been imposed in Faridabad and Palwal, respectively, in this duration.
However, sources in the district administration claim that the mining mafia had still been active as many incidents tend to go unnoticed.
Despite the imposition of a ban, illegal mining has been prevalent in the wake of alleged weak surveillance and monitoring system, it is alleged. The mafia does not desist from violence or attacking the officials as several cases have surfaced in the past few years, it is claimed.
Two policemen had been injured in an assault by a mob after a team attempted to impound a tractor trolley filled with sand near Bamnikhera village in January last year.
The police arrested six persons in connection with an attack on the Enforcement Bureau team at Khambi village of Palwal on February 2. Several persons had been arrested last year also, it is claimed.
It is reported that sensitive areas fall in the vicinity of Sultanpur, Rahimpur, Gurwari, Thantri, Prahladpur Maholi, Sattugarhi, Baghpur, Rajupur, Doshpur and Murtajabad of Palwal in addition to three to four villages of Faridabad where illegally mined sand has been found during the raids.
While hundreds of truck or tractor loads of sand are extracted each month, it is mainly during the night due to huge demand in the construction sector. “The failure to have a regulated and strict system has led to the continuation of the activity,” says Narender Sirohi, a social activist.
KM Pandurang, Director General, Mining Department, in a press release said that the government is committed to stopping illegal mining and officials have been directed to step up strict vigil and checking of vehicles involved in transporting minerals.
Kamlesh Bidhlan, Mining Officer of Faridabad and Palwal, said that proper monitoring was in place to check such activity. Any complaint or information could be shared on toll-free number of 1800-180-5530, she said.
