Crackdown on illegal mining, 238 cases,136 held in Jan alone

The Haryana State Enforcement Bureau has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, registering 238 cases and arresting 136 individuals in January alone. During this period, the bureau team conducted raids at 582 locations across the state concerning the illegal mining of soil, sand and gravel, seizing 258 vehicles on the spot.

A fine of Rs 1.27 crore was imposed on the land mafia involved in illegal mining in January, out of which Rs 63.54 lakh was recovered.

The bureau team, taking action against the land mafia involved in illegal mining in Panchkula, seized 16 vehicles in a single day, including 13 dumpers, one poclain machine, and two hydras. The department also imposed a fine of Rs 3.70 crore on the accused.

In 2024, the bureau, while running a campaign against illegal activities related to six departments, checked 49,017 vehicles of the transport department, of which 29,281 were seized and a fine of more than Rs 100 crore was imposed.

5,792 sites inspected in 2024

As many as 5,792 mining sites were inspected last year. It resulted in registration of 1,169 cases and the arrest of 1,117 people. Besides, 1,493 vehicles were found involved in illegal mining. A fine of Rs 11.64 crore was imposed on their owners, of which Rs 8.45 crore was collected as fine

Also, 5,792 mining sites were inspected last year. It resulted in the registration of 1,169 cases and the arrest of 1,117 people. Besides, 1,493 vehicles were found involved in illegal mining related activities by the bureau team. A fine of Rs 11.64 crore was imposed on the owners of these vehicles, of which Rs 8 crore 45 lakh was collected as fine.

Similarly, 39,398 FIRs were registered regarding illegal activities in the electricity corporation. He said  more than Rs 86.81 crore was recovered in cases related to power theft in the state.

Apart from that, 439 demolition drives were conducted by the Town and Country Planning Department against encroachments, in reference to which 930 FIRs were registered and 373 people were arrested.

He said 1,404 cases related to the Irrigation Department had been registered, of which 1,240 cases were disposed of. The bureau had recovered an amount of Rs 20.79 lakh in this regard, he added.

While taking action against liquor smugglers, the bureau inspected 12,576 sites in 2024, resulting in 659 FIRs. As many as 586 FIRs were disposed of, and 708 accused were arrested while 90 vehicles were seized. In 2024, 6,648 liters of raw liquor, 3968.6 liters of lahan, 48110.3 liters of English liquor, 35184.2 liters of country liquor and 12711.8 litres of beer were recovered by the bureau.

DGP Shatrukit Kapur said the campaign against illegal mining would continue in the future as well. A policy of zero tolerance would be adopted against such people and strict action would be taken, he warned.