Crackdown on illegal mining in Panchkula, 2 FIRs registered

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 19

Two days after Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Mahavir Kaushik ordered to constitute four teams to curb illegal mining in the district, two FIRs were registered for illegal mining. One FIR each was registered at the Chandimandir police station and the Raipur Rani police station.

Though both FIRs were registered on the evening of December 18, the Raipur Rani incident took place late on December 15 night.

In the first case, a team of the Mining Department and the police discovered mining pits in the Ghaggar near Sector 27/28. On a complaint of a mining guard, a case was registered against unknown persons under Section 21(4) of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation of Development) and Section 379 (punishment for theft) of the IPC at the Chandimandir police station.

Two offenders have been named in another case registered at the Raipur Rani police station.

The suspects, Vishu and Rajiv, were booked for illegal sand mining in a river at Badona village. Though the mining team, led by mining inspector Sunil Kumar, spotted their vehicle carrying illegally mined sand, the suspects managed to escape due to low visibility.

A senior official of the District Mining Department said: “Fresh cases registered against those involved in illegal mining rather reflect our strictness to curb the practice. If we continue to remain active, more such cases will be registered in future. We will maintain a strict vigil at night also to keep a check on illegal mining”.

The Deputy Commissioner had asked independent teams to coordinate with the mining department to curb the menace. He had also urged villagers to help the authorities concerned in curbing such illegal activities.

Despite drives, inquires and repeated instructions, the district continues to be a hotbed of the illegal practice.

In July this year, the issue of large-scale illegal mining in the district had led to the suspension of the then District Mining Officer Om Dutt Sharma.