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| ‘Illegal Mining’ goes unabated at Sehot Block, ADM in denial mode | | | Ajay Sharma
Early Times Report
Sunderbani, Oct 31: Despite blanket ban, ‘illegal mining’ is continuing unabated at River Tawi, in village Berripattan of block Sehot in Tehsil Sunderbani of District Rajouri, under ‘unambiguous’ alleged patronage of concerned authorities.
Talking to the Early Times, a group of locals shared that a fleet of tippers, trucks and trolleys can be seen ferrying stones, boulders and sand from the river Tawi in the broad daylight, disregarding official presence.
“It appears that the officials are patronizing this illegal activity, otherwise despite official orders, how they are managing illegal mining in broad day light,” said locals, adding that they have time and again brought this matter to the notice of concerned authorities, but it hasn’t made any difference.
Meanwhile, when this reporter visited the site, he found that JCB machines were operational and trucks, tippers and trolleys were being loaded and material was being ferried to the crusher. The reporter managed to take images and videos of the illegal activity at the site, which vindicated that illegal mining goes unabated in the area.
When contacted ADM Sunderbani, Vinod Kumar, went into denial mode and said there is nothing like that and any activity at the site could be construction of a road. “I have received various complaints in this regard and after examination I came to know that there is no mining in the river Tawi,” said ADM, adding that however, a road for the Sehot block is being constructed at the site.
When asked how it is possible to construct a road in river Tawi, ADM was clueless and tried to dodge the question before hanging up the call.
It is pertinent to mention here that a few days back, same officer, Vinod Kumar convened a meeting, attended by DMO Rajouri, Panchs and Sarpanchs, to deliberate on the issue of illegal mining. During the course of the meeting, a team was constituted to monitor illegal mining in the area.
However, despite the constitution of the team, illegal mining is going on unabated in the Sehot block of Sunderbani, which indicates that some officials from the administration are allegedly hand in glove with the ‘illegal’ mining dealers.
Contradicting the claims of the ADM, locals of the area stated that there is no construction of road at the site. They said that no road can be constructed in the River Tawi, which shows that all the illegal activities are being carried out under the very nose of the administration.
Locals appealed to Lieutenant Governor and concerned Deputy Commissioner to take note of the matter and initiate strong action against people involved. |
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