Illegal mining: Villagers gherao SDO office in Jalandhar district

Jalandhar, January 24

Members of the Kirti Kisan Union and Pendu Mazdoor Union, Punjab, on Monday gheraoed the office of SDO Khushwinder Singh. Members of the unions alleged that the residents of villages Jhandi Peer Kadiana and Selkiana, were allegedly attacked by sand mafia goons in the presence of the SDO while they were protesting against sand mining. The expressed regret against the alleged misbehaviour meted out with Jaspreet Kaur, a lady panch, in the attack.

Protesters have also sent a written complaint on the issue to the chief election officer during the protest.

Kirti Kisan Union’s state leader Santokh Singh Sandhu and Pendu Mazdoor Union president Tarsem Peter as well as press secretary Kashmir Singh Ghughore said illegal mining was going on at Jhandi Peer Kadiana despite the poll code being in force. They said at Jhandi Peer Kadiana, Sutlej water had been obstructed with a bandh and a tippers and JCB machines were indulging in illegal mining from panchayati land of the banks of the river at Jhandi Peer Kadiana.

They said despite protests illegal mining continues unabated in these villages.

They said residents opposing such activities were deliberately attacked on January 18. They demanded strict action against the SDO. —