Presence of unverified labour for illegal mining along Pak border a 'big security hazard': BSF to High Court

Tribune News Service

Saurabh Malik

Chandigarh, August 3

In a scathing report on illegal mining in the border areas of Punjab, the Border Security Force (BSF) has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the presence of “hundreds of labourers” — whose antecedents had not been verified by the local police — so close to the international border was perceived to be a “big security hazard”.

The BSF also stated that mining/excavation began before sunrise and went on till late night. At times, it went on throughout the night. “In recent days, there has been many drone incursions from Pakistan, where the possibility of dropping contrabands, arms/ammunition at their camp site/vehicles cannot be ruled out, which is causing huge threat to the security of the international border fence,” the report added.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, the report dated August 1 sent by the BSF authorities was placed before the Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli by senior panel counsel for the Union of India Arun Gosain.

The Bench added the State of Punjab had also filed an affidavit by the Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Water Resources, Mining and Geology. But it did not contain specific mention or details regarding Pathankot or Gurdaspur districts. It had also not been stated whether illegal mining in those areas had been stopped.

The report, among other things, stated that 603 FIRs have been registered against 958 individuals from January 1 till July 26. As many as 690 persons were arrested, out of which 663 were released on bail by the lower courts. No less than 536 vehicles, out of 777 impounded by the police authorities during the period, were released by the lower courts.

Before parting, the Bench took note of Gosain’s submission that other reports on the issue were still awaited from the Army, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as well as the National Institute of Hydrology and Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

An environment impact assessment report in that area was also to be prepared for submission to the Court.

The Bench also fixed the case for further hearing on August 29. The developments took place on a petition filed in 2012 by Gurbir Singh Pannu. He was seeking auction in a transparent and time-bound manner to curtail illegal mining. Directions were also sought to the Union of India to decide pending environmental clearance issues within three months. Over a period of time, more petitions on the issued filed through counsel APS Shergill, RS Pandher, HC Arora and other advocates were tagged along.

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