Intelligence agencies have brought to light a concerning issue of illegal mining and excavation activities in Punjab, presenting a comprehensive report to the Director General of Police (DGP). Shockingly, the report reveals that officials entrusted with the responsibility of curbing unauthorized mining are themselves complicit in facilitating such activities.
Initiated on the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the report meticulously outlines the prevailing situation in key districts including Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Hoshiarpur. Despite claims by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of successfully halting illegal mining in the state, the intelligence report paints a starkly different picture, indicating a systemic failure to enforce regulations. Leader in Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira took on X (twitter) and posted Intelligence agency report which launching a scathing attack at CM Mann. However, AAP Punjab handle on X also gave a reply to Khaira accusing Khaira of spreading fake news.
Highlights from the Intelligence Report
In Tarn Taran, the construction of residential structures along riverbanks has initiated, coinciding with clandestine sand extraction operations conducted during the cover of night. Villagers in Bhalaipur and Dhunda villages are identified as active participants in this illicit activity.
Pathankot
Sand mining activities carried out in collusion with the Assistant Sub-Divisional Officer (ASDO) are reported in Manwal village, Shahpurkandi police station area. Notably, the report acknowledges the involvement of accused Sandeep Singh, alias Kalu, in illicit mining, facilitated by officials of the mining department in Pathankot. Similarly, Shamsher Singh in Sujanpur collaborates with ASDO to conduct illegal mining. Additionally, Rakesh Singh, operating stone crushers in Shahpurkandi, mines illegally with the inclusion of ASDO. Besides, private crushers like Shri Om Stone Crusher, Thakur Stone Crusher, and Baba Buddha Stone Crusher engage in unauthorized mining.
Gurdaspur
Panchayat members are involved in illegal mining activities on 150 acres of land in Kahnuwan village under the jurisdiction of Bheri police station. Rasna Kandara, Manjeet Singh, and Keval Singh of Bajra extract sand and gravel from the Beas River during nighttime.
Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur
Joginder Singh of Siani village on the banks of the Sutlej River in Jalandhar engages in illegal mining on his land. Similarly, operators of Shahi Stone Crusher, Vashisht Stone Crusher, New Golden, Bala Ji, and Bharat Stone Crusher in villages Handiwal, Ulaha, Chakk Mirpur, Chandwara, Sathwan, and Patti illegally mine on 100 to 150 acres of land. Lal Hussain in Jandor village conducts unauthorized mining as well. These revelations underscore the rampant illegal mining activities prevailing in Punjab, despite claims of eradication.