Thural villagers protest illegal mining in Neugal
r Correspondent
Palampur, April 18
Villagers of the Thural panchayat of Palampur subdivision on Sunday protested the illegal mining going in the Neugal river near Noun village on the state highway.
The villagers, comprising mostly youths, assembled in large numbers at Thural on Sunday and later thronged the mining site along the Neugal and forced the mafia to stop the illegal practice. The villagers said despite a ban, large-scale mining was going on unabated in the Neugal under the shelter of the Mining Department and Forest Department.
“Moreover, despite a ban on the use of machinery for mining in the state, the mafia has pressed into service JCBs, tractor-trailers and earthmovers and therefore we have decided to seize them,” they added. “Repeated complaints and protests by locals have also failed to yield the desired results.”
The protesters further said roads, irrigation channels, cremation grounds and village pastures had been destroyed because of the continuous mining in the area. He said the PWD, IPH, Revenue and Forest Departments, which had suffered maximum damage to their property, had become mute spectators and failed to act against the culprits, who allegedly had political backing.
Two days ago, villagers had complained to the Mining Department following which the officer concerned imposed a fine of Rs 7,200 on the defaulters, but failed to stop the illegal activity.
The villagers said now they had decided to resort to a direct action and would continue their fight against illegal mining till the practice was stopped and the matter was resolved.
