Srinagar : Police on Friday said that it has seized and challaned 12 vehicles for illegal extraction and transportation of minerals in Baramulla, Anantnag and Sopore.
In a statement issued here on Friday Police said that during checking at Zehanpora, adjacent to an archaeological site, one tipper bearing Registration No. JK16-6900, loaded with illegally extracted sand, was intercepted and challaned under the relevant provisions of the MMDR Act. In separate naka checking operations, three tippers were intercepted while carrying sand without valid documentation/royalty papers. All these vehicles were seized and challaned under the relevant provisions of the MMDR Act for further necessary legal action. Similarly in Anantnag, police intercepted two vehicles, bearing registration numbers JK05A-6814 and JK03M-9791, were driven by Bilal Ahmad Bhat son of Gh. Hussan Bhat resident of Magam, Kokernag, and Maqsood Ahmad Malik son of Nazir Ahmad Malik resident of Adhaal, Vailoo, respectively. Both vehicles were found transporting illegal boulders and were accordingly intercepted by the police. Further legal proceedings are underway. Police in its statement also that in Sopore also six vehicles have been seized by it for being involved in illegal extraction of minerals across Police District Sopore , reiterating therein its commitment to curb illegal mining, unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals, and protect mineral resources and environmentally sensitive areas.
