Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 16: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) today took their campaign against illegal mining mafia to border village, Fateh Kotli in Gakhral Panchayat-located few meters away from International Border of Pargwal block and demanded immediate stern action against those indulged in illegal mining.
Led by UT president of AJKPC Anil Sharma, scores of Sarpanches and Panches along with local natives of Fateh Kotli, mostly members of Gujjar community, held strong demonstration against rampant illegal mining along the Chenab basin and accused the Geology and Mining Department of facilitating the illegal practices on monetary considerations.
The AJKPC leaders also installed national tricolour at every household in Fateh Kotli village where the members of Gujjar community said that they are committed to keep national flag high in the border belts as well as to give a befitting reply to any misadventure by the Pakistan along the border.
“The big machines including JCBs have been deployed by the mining mafia to illegally lift minor minerals including sand and gravel from Chenab river bed without any fear of law. This is not possible without the active support of law enforcing agencies. The rampant digging on the river bed has diverted the flow of Chenab water and it will put local habitations in danger if immediate corrective measures are not taken,” Anil Sharma said while addressing the protestors.
He reiterated the demand for conferring the rights of mining blocks within the jurisdiction of concerned Panchayat to them so that Panchayats are made self-reliant. “The revenue generated through this process would be utilized for the overall development of the concerned Panchayat. It would not only empower Panchayats financially but also end their dependency on the Government,”he added.
AJKPC leader also demanded that Gujjar community members whose ownership rights had been cancelled under Roshni Act should be given back.
Prominent among those attended and addressed the gathering were Kashmir Singh, Ram Saroop Sharma, Des Raj Bhagat, Capt Prabh Dayal, Capt Bodh Raj, Imran Khan, Durga Singh, Darshan Singh, Mangal Dass, Ch Mohd Yakoob, Liyakat Ali and others.
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