 Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 13: Despite several check points established along the Tawi River by the Geology and Mining Department to prevent excavation of sand and gravel from the river after the High Court ban, the unabated mining is going on in the River near Bajalata area.
According to local residents of Baian Bajalata, extracted stones from the river are stored along the road, by the mafia in night hours, sometimes in daylight as well, and the same is further delivered to the stone crushers.
“Though the J&K High Court had banned mining of River Tawi bed in 2017, illegal excavation of sand and stones continued unabated near Sidhra Bridge and upward streams area in broad daylight but the concerned agencies remain mute spectators. The practice of this illegal excavation at Tawi Bed by the tractors, tippers has been going on unchecked,” local informed Early Times, adding that the mining could be seen during wee hours as well.
The locals blamed Police for the unabated loot of the natural resources, but Police blamed Geology and Mining Department for the menace.
“Understaffed, Police cannot manage each and everything, to maintain law and order is our prime duty, why Police is needed when a concerned department has deployed its staff at various locations along the river,” said a senior officer wishing not to be named.
“Sometimes ago, several vehicles involved in mining were seized by the department in Nagrota, and if still ‘illegal’ mining is going on, the government should take action against the erring officials”, he added.
“The most shocking part of the incident is that despite the presence of the Geological and Mining Department, Police and Forest Department in the area, the mining is taking place without any fear and restriction”, said a local leader of Baian Bajalata, adding that if govt agencies could not dare to the mafia, how an individual could challenge them for the protection of the environment.
“Ever since the ban has been imposed on exploitation of the natural resource, the corruption is ruling the roots due to increasing demand of the building material and corrupt officials have been filling their pockets, causing huge loss to the state revenue and environment”, the leader alleged.
“There is a check post of Geology and Mining Department on Bajaltata-Surinsar road, but still dozens of trolleys and tippers loaded with mining material pass from there after greasing the palm of staff on duty”, they alleged.
Director Geology and Mining Department, Vikas Sharma did not answer the phone for his comment over alleged connivance of department officials, in illegal mining from Tawi River. |
