Drones, night vision binoculars to check illegal mining in Una

Our Correspondent

UNA, FEBRUARY 20

The Una district administration today decided to procure electronic surveillance equipment to check illegal mining in the Swan river and its tributaries in the district. In an official press release made here, Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar said the district administration would provide camera equipped drones and night vision binoculars to the law enforcement agencies to track mining in the river system.

Sandeep Kumar said operations to nab illegal mining mafia is conducted almost every day, but the mafia gets information through its own network regarding the movement of police and other agencies. Moreover, he said, torch, search lights and vehicle head lights used by the police to reach the spot of illegal mining during the night alerts the mafia from a distance. Taking advantage of the darkness, they flee.

The DC said a drill led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chaudhary and Additional Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Dhiman was conducted last night. He said the officers reported that illegal mining was going on in some areas, but the miscreants fled into the neighbouring Punjab area on receiving information regarding the movement of the law enforcement agencies.

Sandeep Kumar said today a decision had been taken to upgrade the surveillance system of the agencies, which needs to be superior to the communication system being used by the law offenders. He said the process of identifying suitable equipment will soon be initiated.