Fatehpur MLA cracks down on illegal mining in Beas riverbed

In a bold move that sets him apart from many of his peers, Bhiwani Pathania, Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board and MLA from the neighbouring Fatehpur constituency, took decisive action to curb rampant illegal mining in the interstate Mand area of his native Assembly segment.

Acting on reports of unchecked illegal mining in the Beas by organised mining mafias, Pathania, accompanied by officials from the local administration, Public Works Department and police, conducted a surprise inspection of the area. He discovered concealed road passages built by the mafia to transport illegally extracted minerals. These makeshift routes were immediately dismantled using a JCB machine.

According to sources, stone crusher operators from neighbouring Punjab had been using these hidden routes under the cover of darkness to transport raw materials extracted with JCBs and Poclain machines from the riverbed near Rey Pattan. The MLA issued strict instructions to police and departmental officials to take strong action against the perpetrators and intensify surveillance in the flood-prone Mand area, where unscientific mining has worsened monsoon-related damage in the past.

Pathania noted that similar illegal routes had been sealed last year but were recently reconstructed by the mining mafia. He also reprimanded some local residents found colluding with the mafia, allowing mining on their private land in exchange for personal gain.

Speaking to The Tribune, Pathania said, “Illegal mining in the Mand area is wreaking havoc on the environment and endangering public safety. We will not tolerate this. Strict action will be taken as per National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines, including the imposition of heavy penalties and registration of FIRs against violators — locals included.”

He emphasised that the extraction of minerals from riverbeds and private lands within Himachal Pradesh’s jurisdiction by Punjab-based stone crushers is entirely illegal and will be dealt with severely.

Significantly, Pathania — son of the late Sujan Singh Pathania, former minister and ex-MLA of Fatehpur — has previously taken a hardline stance against drug trafficking (chitta) in the border areas of his constituency. His proactive approach and support for law enforcement in tackling narcotics have earned him a reputation for firm leadership.