PAMPORE: District Mineral Officer Pulwama (DMO) Majid Aziz Bhat has seized 11 vehicles used in illegal mining and transportation of raw materials from various areas of Pampore and across the Pulwama district during the raids.
Continuing the crackdown on illegal mining offenders, a team from Geology and Mining department led by District Mineral Officer Majid Aziz Bhat seized 11 vehicles including a heavy LNT machine involved in illegal mining during night hours in Pampore and Lassipora Pulwama, officials said on Tuesday.
DMO Pulwama Majid Aziz told Kashmir Reader that he along with his team conducted raids in different areas including Bujhbagh, Galander, Ladhoo areas of Pampore and Lassipora and other areas of the district to check illegal mining, extraction and transportation of raw materials.
During the raids, 11 vehicles including tippers, dumpers and a heavy LNT machine used in illegal mining, and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted were seized. Seven vehicles including the LNT machine seized in Bujhbagh, Galander and Ladhoo Pampore and four vehicles were seized in Lassipora Pulwama.
He said that the geology and mining department seized 80 vehicles in the month of December and realized a fine of Rs 14 lakhs from the violators. These vehicles were being used in illegal mining, extraction, and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted during this operation.
The DMO Pulwama further said that all of his team has been put on alert to monitor illegal mining in the district. He 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 fast-track system. “The operation against the illegal mining and transporting is going on in different areas of the district,” he said.

BILAL HABIB