Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 6: As many as 10 loaded vehicles involved in illegal mining were seized by District Mineral Officer (DMO) Kathua Rajinder Singh Rana from different locations of district here today.
The Geology and Mining Department team headed by DMO conducted surprise raids at Barnoti, Ghatti, Marheen, Korepunnu, Rajibag and Taraf Tajwal areas. The team seized 4 Dumpers and 6 Tractor Trolleys and kept the same in the custody of police post till realization of penalty from the operators.
During seizure it was found that 4 vehicles had lifted material from Ujh river near four lane bridge without obtaining Forms-A from the department and were on their way towards Ghatti Industrial Estate, while six vehicles were transporting minerals without e-challans towards Samba and Punjab side.
During a raid in Ravi River on the Punjab border, sand miners fled from the spot leaving behind 5 sand cleaning tools which were later handed over to police post Keedian Gandyal.
While seizing Punjab based vehicles, some persons associated with mining mafia tried to attack a team of department at Gandial but police officials rushed from Kedian Gandial and chased away the crowd from the spot.
The DMO informed that there are 19 mineral leases in the district for supplying material at fixed rates and over 25 stone crushers are operating for providing crushed minerals like sand, aggregate, dust etc but despite this some violators turn towards illegal mining.
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