Kathua : Geology and Mining Department seized 03 Punjab based vehicles involved in illegal transportation of crushed minerals, here on Friday.
As informed by DMO Kathua, a naka was laid on National Highway in the morning hours by the department during which three vehicles bearing no:- PB46M-9886, PB02BV-7195 and PB02BV-7802 along with 84 MTs of crushed mineral were seized.
“The seizure was made during routine checking by the department being carried out on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rahul Pandey to put check on illegal mining activities in the district”, he added
The DMO further informed that the seized vehicles were immediately handed over to the police post Bhagtali and shall only be released after realization of penalty as per the rules of the department. It was also informed that a total amount of Rs. 74,000 shall be paid by the vehicles.
It is pertinent to mention that after the imposition of ban on mining activities in Punjab, the miners have turned towards Kathua and try every sort to purchase mining material but district administration and police have set up a sound mechanism to deal with the situation.