15 vehicles including 2 JCBs seized
ANANTNAG: A team of officials headed by ADC, Ghulam Hassan Sheikh Friday raided various extraction spots, where reports of illegal mining with disastrous impact on the environment had been received.
The team seized 15 vehicles including 2 JCBs on the spot, detaining the vehicles in the concerned police stations. The ADC directed the DMO and other officers to register cases under relevant provisions of law against the persons involved in illegal mining besides imposing heavy fines.
While briefing the press later, the ADC said that regular raids are being conducted by the District administration to curb the illegal extraction of sand and other river bed material. He appealed to people involved in the extraction to desist from illegal activities as unplanned extraction wreaks havoc with the environment besides choking irrigation sources for the poor farmers.
Sheikh said illegal mechanical extraction won’t be tolerated and warned stricter action will be taken against the violators of the law in the days ahead.