Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 26: Hundreds of traditional sand miners across Kashmir today said they continue to face a severe livelihood crisis following a Government ban on manual sand extraction, despite limited interim relief granted by the High Court to a group of petitioners.
The restriction stems from a March 16, 2026 Government circular that halted customary mining activities, including manual extraction from the Jhelum river, as part of a broader crackdown on illegal sand mining by organised syndicates.
However, affected workers alleged that the administration failed to distinguish between mechanised illegal operations and small-scale manual extraction carried out by local communities using basic tools.
Communities such as Hanjis and muleteers, who depend on this activity as their primary source of income, said the ban was imposed without prior notice or consultation, leaving them without any means of sustenance.
They further claimed that large quantities of sand already extracted remain stranded along riverbanks and are at risk of being washed away due to rising water levels, compounding their financial losses and pushing many into debt.
Following the ban, the matter was taken to court by a group of petitioners, who argued that the blanket restriction violated their right to livelihood and existing legal provisions governing regulated mining.
During the hearing, the court observed that a prima facie case had been made out and subsequently stayed the operation of the circular for the 24 petitioners. It also issued notice to the Government, seeking its response within four weeks.
The case has been listed for further hearing on May 30.
Despite this intervention, the relief remains confined to the petitioners, leaving hundreds of other traditional miners across the Valley affected by the ban.
The aggrieved workers have urged the authorities to review the decision and adopt a differentiated approach that targets illegal mining while safeguarding traditional livelihoods.
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