Kathua villagers protest illegal mining in Ravi

Kathua, December 15

Residents of Kerrian-Gandyal, Bhagthali and Jarai villages today held a protest outside the mini secretariat here and accused the officials concerned of having a nexus with stone crushers.

The protesters raised slogans against the mining department and administration, blaming them for having a deep-rooted nexus with the stone crushers operating in their area.

“The mining mafia has dug up the Ravi up to 50 feet, which is higher than the prescribed norms, thereby posing a great threat to the lives of the villagers,” Mohinder Pal Sharma, president, Ravi River Action Committee, said.

He alleged, “Our villages are the worst hit by illegal mining. It has affected the ecology and environment of the area. Even the water table has come down drastically while the department concerned has turned a blind eye towards our sufferings.”

Sharma said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had recently ordered the banning of mining in the Ravi, but no action was taken by the departments concerned, which showed that the administration and mining mafia were hand in glove.

“Despite a ban on illegal mining in the Ravi by the district administration, it is still going on unabated within the 500-m radius of the under-construction bridge there. Meanwhile, the mining department and the administration have failed to act against the offenders,” Prem Nath Dogra, district president, BJP, said.

Dogra questioned the state government and alleged that Punjab mining mafia was operating in J&K and a lot of natural extracts were looted not only from the River but other tributaries too. — OC