PAMPORE: District Mineral Officer Pulwama (DMO) Er Mohammad Manzoor seized nine vehicles and two L&T machines used in illegal mining and transportation of raw materials in the Pampore and Awantipora areas of Pulwama district.
Continuing the crackdown on illegal mining, a team from the Geology and Mining Department Pulwama led by Er Manzoor seized eleven vehicles including nine dumpers and two heavy L&T machines involved in illegal mining, officials said on Sunday.
DMO Pulwama told Kashmir Reader that he along with his team conducted raids in different areas including Khrew Pampore and Charsoo Awantipora after receiving specific information about the unauthorised mining during the night hours.
During the raids, eleven vehicles including nine dumpers and two heavy L&T machines involved in the illegal extraction of minerals in Khrew and Charsoo were seized, he said, adding that all the vehicles have been shifted to the Geology and Mining sub office Khrew.
Er Manzoor said that since there is zero tolerance against illegal mining, the department had been holding an extensive drive day and night against the violators in various areas of the district including Khrew, Ladhoo, Pampore, Awantipora, Tral Kakapora, Newa and other areas of the district.
He said that the Geology and Mining Department has seized hundreds of vehicles and heavy machines in the last few months and realized a huge fine worth lakhs of rupees from the violators. These vehicles were being used in illegal mining, extraction, and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted, he added.
The DMO Pulwama further said that all of his team has been put on alert to monitor illegal mining in the district. “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,” he said, adding, “The operation against the illegal mining and transporting is going on in different areas of the district.”

BILAL HABIB