Authorities crack whip on illegal mining in Ganderbal; seize 12 vehicles

Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal : The authorities in Ganderbal have intensified their efforts against those involved in illegal mining in this central Kashmir district and seized a dozen vehicles in this regard.

Cracking the whip on illegal miners, the Geology and Mining Department with the assistance of police has been carrying out raids for the last three days in various locations of the district which include Dal Colony Nunner, Lar, Baba Mohalla, Safapora and adjoining areas to curb illegal extraction of minor minerals.

“Twelve vehicles including 11 tippers and a tractor have been seized,” District Mineral Officer (DMO) Ganderbal Er Zulfikar Mohd Shafi told the news agency.

He said the vehicles seized during the raids have been handed over to police.

“We had warned them to desist from illegal extraction of minerals but they didn’t pay any heed. Now, stern action under rules will be taken against them,” he said.

The DMO further said that no leniency will be provided to those trying to loot natural resources and causing irreparable damage to the ecology—(KNO)