Villagers protest illegal mining in Paonta Sahib

Nahan, February 4

Villagers from the Bhangani area of Paonta Sahib recently staged a protest against the police for not acting against an influential person allegedly engaged in illegal mining.

They alleged that the stone crusher owners of the area were illegally extracting sand, gravel and other minerals from their land. They rued that they were intimidated, while little was done against the mining mafia.

The villagers also alleged that excavation machines and vehicles belonging to a relative of the influential person were being used at a private crusher installed in the area. The panchayat representatives held an emergency meeting. “It was decided that the no-objection certificate (NOC) given to the crusher operator would be cancelled. A complaint to the Governor, Chief Minister and the DGP would be made,” said panchayat pradhan Harjinder Kaur. She said about 300 villagers had complained about the matter at a recent panchayat meeting.

Nahan SP RK Meena said that the police were taking action against people indulging in illegal mining, vehicles were being impounded and a penalty was also imposed.