DMO Pulwama, Tehsildar Pampore lead operation
PAMPORE: The Geology and Mining Department Pulwama and Revenue Department Pampore have seized three L&T machines, two JCBs and three vehicles used for illegal mining and illegal excavation and transportation of clay at Barsoo and Pampore areas of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district during the joint operation on late Monday evening.
The crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to curb unauthorized mining activities in the region.
In a hectic 15-hour operation, the Geology and Mining Department of Pulwama, led by District Mineral Officer Er Mohammad Manzoor and Tehsildar Pampore Malik Asif Ahmad, successfully seized three L&T machines two JCBs and three vehicles engaged in illegal mineral extraction at Barsoo Awantipora and Samboora in Pampore. The crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to curb unauthorized mining activities in the region, officials told Kashmir Reader.
DMO Pulwama said they received a complaint about illegal mining in the Barsoo area and he along with the team immediately conducted a raid.
“During the raids, we seized three L&T machines involved in illegal mining. These machines have been taken to the Geology and Mining Sub Office in Khrew, where they are now under custody,” he said.
The officer said that another joint raid was conducted by a joint team of the Geology and Mining and Revenue departments, led by Tehsildar Pampore Malik Asif Ahmad in Samboora Pampore. During the raid, three vehicles and two JCBs involved in the illegal excavation and transportation of clay were seized on the spot.
Over the last six months, the Geology and Mining Department Pulwama has seized about 240 vehicles, including heavy chain-type machines, used for illegal mining, extraction, and transportation of raw materials in different areas of Pampore, Awantipora, Tral and Pulwama areas. They have also realized fines to the tune of approximately 75 lakh rupees from the violators.
DMO Pulwama said that the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining, with ongoing efforts to curb illegal extraction, transportation, and mining activities across different areas of the district.
He said that his dedicated team has been put on high alert day and night to monitor illegal mining in the Pulwama district. The officer assured that all illegal mining cases would be dealt with according to the rules, utilizing a fast-track system for necessary actions against the violators.