ED Mining launches crackdown against illegal mining; one held with illegal weapons, ammunition

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh/Khanna, April 9

Launching a crackdown against illegal mining in the state, Khanna police on the directions of Enforcement Director (Mining) RN Dhoke, Punjab, have arrested a Samrala resident over his involvement in illegal sand mining in Sutlej area.

The accused has been identified as Gurinder Singh alias Ginda of Bhorla village in Samrala and cops have seized four illegal country-made weapons, ammunition and a Swift Dzire car from his possession.

Disclosing further details, Enforcement Director (Mining) RN Dhoke said they had received a tip-off about some unscrupulous elements involved in illegal mining in Rahon area of SBS Nagar district following which the information was later shared with SSP Khanna Gursharandeep Singh Grewal to take stern action against the violators.

He said that acting swiftly on inputs, the SSP formed a team led by Inspector Rajesh Thakur, SHO, Machhiwara Sahib, who along with a police party set up barricades near Rahon river bridge in Machhiwara Sahib and apprehended Gurinder Singh with illegal weapons and car.

On his frisking, two pistols of .32 bore, two magazines, 10 live cartridges and two pistols of .315 bore, two live cartridges were recovered by cops, he added.

He further revealed Gurinder is kingpin of the gang operating in Rahon area along with his accomplices.

Gurinder Singh is a hardcore criminal and wanted in many cases of murder and robbery in Punjab and Gujarat, he said and added that a case under sections of 379 IPC and Arms Act has been registered against him at Machhiwara Sahib police station.

Dhoke added that while questioning, Gurinder revealed that he was doing illegal mining with Raju Gujjar, Karanvir Singh and others in the river bed of Sutlej in Rahon area.

Further, he said that Gurinder is wanted in a high-profile murder case in Gujarat when he along with two others killed Ashish Maharaj with whom local dhaba owners had a property dispute.

Gurinder is being questioned for his links with other criminals in the region and with the suppliers of illegal weapons in MP and UP.