Crack down on sand mafia – 11 booked under Mineral and Mines Act
Ferozepur, August 23, 2017 : Continuing its tirade against illegal sand miners, the district and police administration cracked down on sand mafia in Ferozepur on Tuesday in village Saddu Shah Wala.
Just few days back, notices in more than 120 cases of illegal mining were issued with violators liable to pay a penalty of more than Rs.80 lakh. However, no action was taken or ordered against mining officials, without whose involvement, illegal mining is not possible.
Added here, Ferozepur district is also hot bed for illegal sand mining activities by mining away more than the permitted amount of sand. The unchecked mafia has always a direct backing and had been reaping the cash crop of sand round the clock, by selling at a higher price, irrespective of any political party in power.
Moreover, illegal sand mining has become not only a severe law and order issue but is also one of the reasons behind the factional feud in the ruling party.
The police have registered a case under Sections under Section 379 IPC and 21(3) Mining and Mineral Act 1957, on the complaint of Sukhmandar Singh SDO, Senior Industrial Development Officer in the office of General Manager, District Industries Department, Ferozepur against 11 persons including two unidentified drivers with recovery of 9 truck tippers and 2 pop line machines.
Those booked are – Ghanshyam of Gharsana, Ajit Ram of Sardulgarh, Veera Singh of Ratia, District Fatehabad, Fula Singh of Arniwala in Fazilka, Raja Singh of Kalia Wali Mandi in Sirsa, Luvpreet Singh of Allupur in Mansa, Avtar Singh of Sangrur, Lakhbir Singh of Saro in Sangrur and Sukhwinder Singhbv of Mandar in Moga besides two unidentified drivers of pop line machines. However, no arrest has been made in this case and the investigation marked to Sukhbir Singh, is on who too did not picked up the phone.
Shukhmandar Singh, SDO when contacted on phone declined to divulge any details of cracking down of sand mafia and recovery against the notices issued earlier to the violators.
File photo added
