Illegal mining: Officials play blame game

The illegal mining of sand in villages near Ajnala in Amritsar district is allegedly posing a serious threat to the residential units,roads and may even take a toll on the BSF installations.

The illegal mining of sand in villages near Ajnala in Amritsar district is allegedly posing a serious threat to the residential units,roads and may even take a toll on the BSF installations. And even as several cases of illegal mining have come to fore,the district administration officials are passing the buck.

Farm union activist and Panch Pardhani leader Baldev Singh Sirsa,who complained to various authorities,accused the District Mining Officer Dharampal Bhagat of allowing the illegal mining by charging money from the land owners.

However,District Mining Officer Dharampal Bhagat,refuted the allegations. The allegations are baseless. Since April this year,10 cases under the Mining Act have been registered. We know that the magnitude of the problem is bigger,but it is the police that does not provide the necessary help to us, Bhagat claimed.

Story continues below this ad

Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police Preetpal Singh Virk,when contacted,contested the claims of District Mining Officer. We reach at the spot in the shortest time. Bhagat never contacted me. He is telling a lie, SSP added.

Contacted,Amritsar DC Rajat Aggarwal said he was getting the matter inquired into. Cases under relevant sections will be registered in case of irregularities.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram