Baddi mining cell impounds three vehicles

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 19

The staff of the Baddi mining cell impounded three vehicles — a mini truck, tractor and a poclain machine — engaged in illegal mining at Chikni Khud in a surprise raid conducted late last evening.

The police team found a mini truck (HP-12-D-8979) filled with illegally mined sand, a tractor (Pb-32 L7681) and a proclaim machine engaged in illegal mining at the Chikni riverbed. Miscreants engaged in the activity, however, managed to flee the spot when they saw the police.

“The mining cell is regularly keeping an eye on illegal mining, especially at vulnerable sites, which are prone to illegal mining. One such information was received at the Chikni riverbed last night around 2 pm, following which it was raided. The drivers of three vehicles fled the site on seeing our team,” said a policeman.

“A case under Sections 379 and 34 of the IPC and Section 21 of the Mining Act has been registered at Nalagarh and a further probe is underway,” said additional SP, Baddi, Narinder Kumar.

Sources said the bordering belt had become a hub of illegal mining by miscreants from Punjab who connived with locals for the activity.

Four vehicles engaged in such activities were impounded even last week by the Baddi police.

As a truck of sand and gravel fetches Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000, riverbeds near the borders are frequented by miscreants. The sand is taken to stone crushers of the neighbouring areas where the quarry material is refined and cleaned before being sold to realtors.