Despite curfew, mining mafia active in Mandi

Tribune News Service

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Mandi, May 1

Despite strict lockdown, mining mafia is active in illegal mining in Mandi district plundering natural wealth. The plunder has been going on despite that the High Court had directed the district administration to check illegal mining.

A video was recently recorded in Balh valley area by a woman, in which illegal mining was captured. The video was circulated on social media, which prompted the district administration to take action against offenders.

According to residents of Balh valley, local rivers like Suketi, Lohari and Kansa are easy target of the mining mafia busy robbing the nature resources of the state. The offenders have made link roads leading to river beds for easy access of carrier vehicles so that illegal produce can be transported easily.

Rajneesh Soni, a councilor of Municipal council Nerchowk, told The Tribune that despite lockdown, mining mafia was active. This only showed poor monitoring of illegal mining by mining department, which, in fact, looks like a mute spectator to the situation.

He said the mining mafia is busy plundering the nature wealth, when the police are struggling to fight Covid-19 outbreak.

Mandi SP Gurdev Chand Sharma said that police yesterday challaned 27 vehicles and collected Rs 3 lakh as penalty from offenders.