100 vehicles, machines seized, Rs 20 lakh fine realised for illegal mining in two months: DMO
Pampore: Authorities in the Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday launched a major crackdown against illegal extraction, mining and transportation.
The Geology and Mining Department led by District Mining Officer (DMO) Pulwama Er Mohammad Manzoor launched a day-long operation against the illegal mining at Wuyan village of Pampore.
The department officials told Kashmir Reader that eight LNT’s heavy chain-type machines were seized at Wuyan village. They said the department in collaboration with the Khrew police, conducted a targeted operation against illegal mining at Wuyan. The team, led by DMO Pulwama Er Mohammad Manzoor and SHO Khrew Rehman Tandoli, seized eight LNT’s heavy chain-type machines being used in illegal mining during the day-long operation.
The operation against illegal mining was going on in the areas when this report was filed.
The Geology and Mining Department last two month seized 100 vehicles that were being used for illegal mining, extraction and transportation of raw materials in different areas of the Pulwama district.
Officials said that the department cracked the whip on illegal mining and extraction of minerals in the Pulwama district and seized 70 vehicles including LNTs and JCBs in September and October and realised a huge fine from the violators. He said the team led by DMO Pulwama conducted raids in different areas including Ladhoo, Khrew, Pampore, Awantipora, Tral, Newa and other parts of the Pulwama district to check illegal mining, extraction and transportation of raw materials. These vehicles were being used in illegal mining, extraction, and transportation of raw materials illegally extracted during the two-month-long operations.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, DMO Pulwama, Er Mohammad Manzoor, at Wuyan said, “Today, we conducted a drive against illegal mining and extraction of raw materials in Wuyan Pampore. We received a complaint about ongoing illegal extraction here, so we took cognizance of it, and the operation is currently underway. We have seized 6 LNT’s machines so far.”
“Our message is clear: do not engage in illegal extraction, illegal mining, or transportation. We have informed them that there are legal sources available, but they are resorting to illegal activities, unlike those who operate within the legal framework,” he said, adding, “In the last two months alone, we have imposed fines about 20 lakh rupees. We have seized 101 machines and vehicles. Whenever there are violations, such as damage to embankments or any violations in our rivers, we lodge FIRs against those who commit these violations.”
The department has adopted a zero-tolerance against illegal mining, District Mineral Officer Pulwama Er Mohammad Manzoor said, adding that the drive against illegal extraction and illegal mining of sand and boulders is going on in different areas of the district.
The DMO Pulwama said that all of his team has been put on alert to monitor illegal mining in the district. He said 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.