50 vehicles, LNTs seized, Rs 14 lakh fine recovered in last 20 days: DMO Pulwama

PAMPORE: District Mineral Officer Pulwama (DMO) Majid Aziz Bhat has seized 3 LNTs and 5 vehicles used in illegal mining and transportation of raw materials during raids from different areas of the Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

A team of officials from the Geology and Mining Department Pulwama laid a crackdown at various locations of Mandakpal Ladhoo and Pampore and seized three LNTs and 5 tipper vehicles for illegal mining and transporting illegally, officials said.

Talking to Kashmir Reader DMO Pulwama Majid Aziz Bhat said that he along with his team conducted raids in different areas including Ladhoo, Pampore, Awantipora, Newa and other parts of Pulwama district to check illegal mining, extraction and transportation of raw materials.

During this drive, LNTs like heavy Earth moving machines used in illegal mining, and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted were seized at Mundakpal Ladhoo village of Pampore.

He said that 5 more vehicles were seized in two places Pampore and Newa area.

These vehicles were being used in illegal mining, extraction, and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted during raids.

He told Kashmir Reader that the geology and mining department seized 50 vehicles in the last 20 days 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.

He said that all of his staff has been put on alert to monitor illegal mining that has been looting 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.

The operation against illegal mining and transporting is going on in different areas of the Pampore, Tral, Awantipora and Pulwama districts.

He said that since there is zero tolerance against illegal mining, the department had been holding an extensive drive against the violators for the last two-three weeks in various areas of the district including Khrew, Ladhoo, Pampore, Awantipora, Tral Kakapora, Newa, etc.

BILAL HABIB