Cops battle mining mafia at night

In a second major crackdown within two weeks, the Nurpur district police struck hard against illegal mining operations along the interstate border under the Damtal and Indora police stations. Acting on specific intelligence, the police seized 24 heavy vehicles and a JCB machine, all loaded with finished mining material, during a special night operation.

The operation, conducted across several hotspots, including Tanda Mor, Ulherian, Khubbar, Chhonch Khud, Bhadroya, Kandrori, Lodwan and Dhangu, was aimed at curbing the rampant illegal transportation of mining material. None of the intercepted vehicles carried the mandatory documents required for mineral transportation within or outside the state.

Nurpur SP Ashok Ratan told The Tribune that the operation was part of a special drive to check both illegal mining and royalty evasion. He emphasised that the large-scale seizure pointed to a significant loss of state revenue. “The mafia typically transports material at night to avoid detection and skip paying royalty to the state exchequer,” he said.

This is the second such seizure after a similar drive on June 12, where 24 loaded vehicles were also confiscated. In the latest action, Indora police registered an FIR under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in the JCB seizure case.

So far this year, the district police have registered 10 FIRs, impounded 80 loaded vehicles, and issued 421 challans in connection with illegal mining. However, police officials lament the lack of action from other government departments, especially the mining department, which remains largely inactive despite the rising threat posed by the mining mafia.

With the onset of the monsoon season, the mafia has stepped up its operations. Locals often refer to these riverbeds as “goldmines,” a term now taking on a darker tone as the illegal trade flourishes unchecked, save for the efforts of the district police.