Pulwama: District Mineral Office (DMO), Pulwama has strongly refuted the news item published in local Urdu daily on 4th June 2024, regarding ‘Illegal sand extraction in river Jhelum at PatalbaghPampore- people worried, demand action against the sand mafia’.
In an official statement issued here it has been given out that the news item published is devoid of facts, while in contrast District Mineral Office Pulwama is putting its best efforts in quelling illegal mining throughout the district.
To substantiate its efforts to prevent illegal mining, the said office has informed that 211 numbers of vehicles/ machinery indulged in the illegal transportation/extraction of the minerals have been seized from the past six months and a fine/ penalty to the tune of about Rs.72,23000 has also been imposed/ recovered.
The statement further mentioned that though illegal mining during the odd and wee hours cannot be ruled out at the place in question, however, every kind of effort is being made not to allow any kind of illegal sand mining from the said area.
It is pertinent to mention here that since March-2024, 24 vehicles have been seized in and around Patalbagh area and Rs 4.76 lacs have been recovered from these offenders. Besides ramps/ approaching roads leading to the patalbagh are being frequently snapped. Recently three FIRs against 26 persons found to be indulged in the illegal sand mining at the said place have already been lodged in the concerned police station.
Further strict directions have been passed on Area Incharges to curb the illegal mining activities and ensure that no transportation of any mineral by any means from the place of raising to another is made without being in possession of a valid “mineral transport e-challan” in form -“A”.
It is not out of place to mention here that these actions against the illegal mining have been intensified and cracking the whips on illegal miners, regular seizures are made and these illegal miners have been warned to desist from illegal extraction of minerals. Regular inspections are conducted in the area from where complaints of illegal mining and transportation of minor mineral are received
As such, it is evident that action has already been taken against the offenders who are indulged in illegal sand mining and it is reiterated that this drive against the illegal mineral minor transporters/extractors will be launched more vigorously in the coming days.
