Inform about illegal mining along international border areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur: HC to Centre
Chandigarh, July 27
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted the Union of India a week’s time to obtain information/instructions from the Army and BSF on “any security threat” due to illegal mining along the international border areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur.
The Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli also asked Union of India’s senior panel counsel Arun Gosain to submit response regarding environmental damage, if any, caused by illegal mining operations. The response was directed to be submitted after obtaining requisite information/instructions from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Institute of Hydrology and Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The Bench also gave the state a week’s time to file an affidavit of “the higher authority concerned preferably the Chief Secretary” regarding the cessation and stopping of all illegal mining in riverbeds, particularly through mechanised mode.
Appearing before the Bench, Punjab Assistant Advocate-General submitted that the authorities were taking several measures to prohibit illegal mining. More than 500 FIRs had been registered so far and 589 accused had been booked.
The authorities were in the process of strengthening the regulatory mechanism and proposing to constitute a special investigation team at the district level.
The Bench was hearing a bunch of petitions filed against the State of Punjab and other respondents by Gurbir Singh Pannu and other petitioners. Their counsel conjointly submitted that illegal mining well beyond the prescribed limits was continuing unabated in the riverbeds despite court orders.
It was submitted that illegal mining had resulted in creation of gorges and ditches especially in the areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur adjacent to Pakistan border right across the Ravi river seriously jeopardising the country’s security. It had practically become an entry point for infiltrators and terrorists.
It was also submitted that illegal mining through JCB machines and several heavy duty extraction machines was continuing in riverbeds unabated even during the rainy season. Transportation was also taking place on heavy vehicles with loading capacity of more than 30 tonnes.
“Be that as it may, upon being specifically asked if the illegal mining in riverbeds, which is resulting in serious environmental damage, lowering of water table and posing a serious threat to the national security, has been stopped or not, Assistant Advocate-General, Punjab, expressed his inability to make a clear statement in this regard and prays for time to file an affidavit,” the Bench added.
