46 vehicles seized, Rs 07 lakh fine realised for illegal mining, transportation in Bandipora

Suhail Rather

Bandipora, 04 June: The Geology and Mining Department last month seized 46 vehicles that were being used for illegal mining, extraction and transportation of raw materials in different areas of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Officials informed Kashmir Convener that the Geology and Mining Department cracked the whip on illegal mining and extraction of minerals in the Bandipora district and seized 46 vehicles including JCB's in the month of May and realised a huge fine from the violators.
He said the team led by DMO Bandipora conducted raids in different areas including Gamroo, Lankreshipora, Kulhama, Saderkoot and other parts of the district to check illegal mining, extraction and transportation of raw materials. These vehicles were being used in illegal mining, extraction, and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted during month-long operations.

The department has adopted a zero-tolerance against illegal mining, District Mineral Officer Bandipora Mumtaz Ahmad told Kashmir Convener, adding that the drive against illegal mining of sand and boulders is going on in different areas of the district.
Mumtaz said that during the month of May, 07 lakh rupees were compounded for various offences, adding that some drives were carried out during the day and some during the night.

He added that 01 FIRs have also been registered in the district.

“We disconnect ramps used by trippers for travelling towards Arin nallah embankments to load bajri,” he said, adding that they rebuild them during the night. He said they will coordinate with the Flood Control Department to check this trend.

The DMO Bandipora said that all of his team has been put on alert to monitor illegal mining in the district. He said all the illegal mining cases would be dealt with under the rules and all the things against the violators would be done by a fast-track system.