Multiple vehicles seized as police in J&K’s Baramulla crack down on illegal mining
Srinagar, June 23 (IANS) The Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district said on Tuesday that during the crackdown on illegal mining in the district several vehicles were seized.
The Police statement said that as part of its sustained drive against illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of mineral resources, the Baramulla Police conducted a series of enforcement actions across the district and seized several vehicles involved in illegal extraction and transportation of sand, gravel and boulders.
During naka checking near Babateng in Pattan town of Baramulla, Police intercepted and seized five dumpers and four tippers carrying sand/gravel without valid authorisation.
In a separate operation near Nawan Mode in Kreeri tehsil, one dumper and two tippers transporting mineral material without requisite permission were also seized.
Necessary action under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act has been initiated against the violators.
Meanwhile, during routine patrolling near Public Park Kunzer, a police party of Kunzer police station intercepted two tractors bearing registration numbers JK04H-2519 and JK01-33701, loaded with boulders illegally extracted from Ferozpora Nallah at Hardbani.
The drivers, identified as Suhail Ahmad Pandith and Danish Ahmad, failed to produce any valid authorisation for extraction or transportation of the mineral material.
Accordingly, an FIR has been registered at the Kunzer Police Station under relevant sections of law.
Both tractors along with the illegally extracted boulders have been seized and investigation has been taken up.
The Baramulla Police remains committed to curbing illegal mining activities and urges the public to cooperate in protecting natural resources and maintaining environmental balance.
Mining of minerals including sand, stones, gravel, boulders etc, are highly regulated in Jammu and Kashmir and those having legally valid tenders on mining in different areas are permitted to carry on the excavation.
Illegal mining in Jammu and Kashmir primarily involves the unauthorised extraction of minor minerals like sand, gravel, and boulders from major riverbeds, causing severe ecological degradation.
The Union Territory administration maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance against these operations, which frequently take advantage of night-time hours to evade routine inspections.
Key water bodies, including the Jhelum, Tawi, Ravi, and Chenab rivers, suffer from heavy mechanised extraction.
These operations lead to severe bank erosion, lowered water tables, and damaged aquatic habitats.
Illegal digging frequently occurs dangerously close to critical infrastructure like bridges.
–IANS
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