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| Sand diggers play ghosts to scare Srinagar people | | | Majid Nabi
early times report
Srinagar, Nov 2: In order to get their illegal work done, the 'unlicensed' sand diggers with due support of 'police' have unleashed a reign of terror among the residents living along Jhelum embankments by making 'horrifying' sounds in the dead of night.
Local residents complained that some unlicensed sand diggers have made their lives virtual hell that besides stealing valuables from their houses make creepy noises during night to keep on illegal sand excavation from Jhelum River.
''We have been facing a horrifying situation for the past one month as some sand diggers scare people during the night. These goons are trying to give an impression that the horrendous acts are done by phantom. They sound like ghosts and one who dares them faces consequences," Mohammad Sultan a houseboat owner told 'Early Times'.
He said that the only motive behind the harassment is that they want to create panic among the local populace so that their wrong doings remain unexposed.
Pertinently, illegal extraction of sand from River Jhelum is done by some miscreants through mechanical boats particularly in areas like, Zero Bridge, Pampore, Kakapora, Zoonipora, Nowgam and Pantha Chowk which has endangered the embankments of River Jhelum
Despite strict directions by Divisional Commissioner to Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Pulwama districts to take stern actions against 'sand mafia' nothing substantial has been done on ground.
The inhabitants alleged that illegal extraction of sand is going on unabated on a vast expanse of Jhelum along its main embankment at Zero Bridge and Shivpora areas.
They alleged that the "sand mafia" has also hired goons to quell any resistance from people. "We are not against dredging of Jhelum but these persons are openly looting sand which fetches them over Rs 5,000 per truckload. Haphazard sand extraction causes huge losses to state exchequer as it is deprived of royalty," they said.
"Believe it or not we cannot move outside our houses till 8 a m in the morning. It was around 5:30 am I went out for ablution but the moment I stepped out I was attacked and abused by these goons. I must not hesitate to say that the sand mafia is enjoying police patronage," Manzoor Ahmad another local told 'Early Times'.
He said that the concerned authorities are least bothered to protect people who have been harassed by sand diggers on one pretext to another.
He said that children could not sleep due to the horrifying treatment meted out to them by the sand mafia.
"One cannot predict as to when an 'unpleasant' incident takes place; our females are scaring to move out from their houses. We can only blame police and administration for this detrimental situation who despite being aware of their wrongdoings have maintained a criminal silence over the plight of the people," he said. |
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