Pampore: District Mineral Officer Pulwama have seized twenty one vehicles including fifteen tippers and six JCB’s used in illegal mining, transportation of raw materials illegally extracted during different raids in Pampore, Awantipora and Pulwama area, officials said.
In line with zero tolerance for illegal mining, District Mineral Officer (DMO) Pulwama Altaf Ul Rasool along with his team conducted raids on different areas of Pulwama district to check illegal mining, extraction and transportation of raw materials on the intervening night of 24 and 25 June.
Fifteen vehicles (tippers) and six JCB were seized from Khrew, Ladhoo Pampore, Awantipora and Lassipora area. These vehicles were being used in illegal mining, extraction, transportation of raw materials illegally extracted during this operation, a officer of the department told Kashmir Reader.
The informed Kashmir Reader that since there had been zero tolerance against illegal mining, the department had been holding an extensive drive against the violators from last night in different areas of the district including Khrew, Ladhoo, Awantipora and Pulwama area.
He said that they had seized six JCB’s and nearly 21 vehicles which have been put in different police stations of Khrew, Pulwama and Awantipora area.
“we are trying to curb mining that is taking place during the wee hours and evening,” he said, adding that it has become a headache for the administration.
He told Kashmir Reader that all of his staff has been put on alert to monitor illegal mining that has been looting the public resources.
He further said that all the illegal mining cases would be dealt with under the rules and all the things against the violators would be done by a FastTrack system.

BILAL HABIB