Midnight crackdown exposes illegal mining in Swan riverbed in Ropar village

The Mining Department of Anandpur Sahib carried out a major crackdown on illegal mining in the Swan riverbed at Khera Kalmot village in Ropar district. The action was taken around 1 am on the intervening night of January 9 and 10, when three earthmoving machines were found operating illegally in the middle of the river.

The operation was led by Narendra Kumar, Sub-Divisional Officer (Mining), along with Junior Engineers Beer Davinder and Rajpal. Acting on specific inputs, the team reached the Swan riverbed under the cover of darkness and found the heavy machinery being operated for excavation red-handed.

Given the sensitive nature of the operation and the possibility of resistance, the Mining Department had sought police assistance.

Officials said that although the government had granted a mining lease in the Khera Kalmot area, the permission was strictly limited to the approved site.

Despite this, illegal mining in the Swan riverbed had been going on rampantly for a long time, causing serious environmental damage and raising concerns about groundwater depletion and river ecology. The riverbed mining was being carried out in blatant violation of the lease conditions and environmental norms.

The issue of illegal mining in Khera Kalmot has been a matter of sustained public anger. Local residents, supported by Congress leaders, have repeatedly protested against unchecked mining activity in the area. Protesters have alleged that illegal extraction continued despite complaints, adversely affecting agricultural land, village roads, and the natural flow of the Swan river. They have been demanding strict enforcement of mining laws and accountability of those involved.

The midnight action of mining department has been widely welcomed by residents, who see it as a strong message against the mining mafia operating in the region.

The authorities said further investigations are under way.

Besides the illegal mining in Swan river, many hills have been razed in Khera Kalmot area by people indulging in illegal mining.