90 vehicles seized, Rs 14 lakh fine recovered in a month: Officials

PAMPORE: The Geology and Mining Department has seized 12 vehicles, six heavy machines excavators and one JCB used in illegal mining and transportation of raw materials from different areas of Pampore Tehsil in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district during the raids in the last 24 hours.
A team of officials from the Geology and Mining Department Pulwama led by District Mineral Officer Majid Aziz laid a major crackdown at the Khrew, Zantrag, Wuyan and Mundakpal areas of Pampore.
During the raids 12 Toppers, Dumpers, six heavy machines excavators and one were found engaged in illegal mining and transportation of raw materials, officials told Kashmir Reader.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Mehraj Din Bhat Deputy Manager Geology and Mining Department said that they launched a drive in Mandakpal, Zantrag, Khrew and Wuyan.
“During the past 24 hours we seized 12 tippers, Dumpers, 6 chain type LNT which fall in the category of heavy machinery and a JCB,” he said, adding in the past month they have seized some 90 vehicles and realised a fine of rupees 14 lakh.
He said that they will act tough against illegal miners.
“Only mining through legal process will be allowed, illegal mining will not be allowed,” he said, adding they raid whenever they receive reports about illegal mining.
He further said that all of his team has been put on alert to monitor illegal mining in Pampore, Awantipora, Tral and other areas of the Pulwama 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