Mining mafia threatens officials during night raid in Baddi-Nalagarh

The mining mafia continues to operate brazenly in the Baddi-Nalagarh industrial belt, where they allegedly threatened officials of the Mining Department during a night raid last night.

Mining Officer Dinesh Kumar said the department intercepted two tippers engaged in illegal mineral transportation near Nalagarh. “Both vehicles were without number plates. To prevent the drivers from alerting others operating along the Mahadev Khad, their mobile phones were taken into custody,” he said.

However, a white Fortuner (HP 12 S 1414) soon arrived at the spot. “Its occupant used abusive language, issued threats and forcibly drove away the intercepted tippers. He even attempted to ram one of the vehicles, endangering the safety of our staff and the departmental vehicle,” Kumar added. The team managed to escape unhurt and later lodged a complaint with the Nalagarh police.

In another incident, while pursuing a tipper carrying illegally mined material, culprits blocked the approach road near Mahadev Khad to obstruct the departmental vehicle. “This deliberate blockade posed a serious safety hazard, but our team remained undeterred and continued the operation,” Kumar said.

During the raid, three cases of illegal mining were detected, including one involving an earth excavation machine. The department compounded all cases on the spot, recovering Rs 90,000 in penalties.