Illegal mining rampant in Palwal, Faridabad, 217 FIR's lodged in 14 months

Several villages located in the vicinity of the Yamuna river in the region continue to remain sensitive to rampant illegal mining of river sand. With as many as 217 FIR’s lodged in the last about 14 months, a penalty amounting to Rs 97.60 lakh has been imposed in this period.

Revealing that a special drive had been on, sources in the district administration said that the Mining Department officials have been instructed to take strict action and measures to curb the menace.

With registration of as many as 117 FIR’s in Palwal, another 100 have been booked 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.

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 was still prevalent due to an alleged weak surveillance and monitoring system. The mafia do not desist from violence as several cases have surfaced, it is claimed. Two cops had been injured in an assault by a mob after a team attempted to impound the 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 this year.

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, besides three to four villages of Faridabad where illegally mined sand has been found during raids. ''Failure to have a regulated and strict system has led to continuation of the activity,'' says Narender Sirohi, a social activist.

KM Pandurang, director general of Mining Department, in a press release said that the government was committed to stop illegal mining. The officials have directed to step up the drive of strict vigil and check the vehicles involved in transporting minerals. Kamlesh Bidhlan, mining officer of Faridabad and Palwal, said proper monitoring was in place to check illegal activity. Any complaint or information could be shared on the toll free number of 1800-180-5530, she said.