Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Feb 10: Residents of Kerrian Gandyal and Pandori staged a protest at the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office in Kathua, voicing their anger over rampant illegal mining in the Ravi and Ujh rivers.
The demonstrators, including women, led by BJP leader Prem Nath Dogra, submitted a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner Kathua, highlighting the unregulated mining activities that are causing significant financial losses to the Jammu & Kashmir exchequer.
Speaking to the media, Prem Nath Dogra accused external elements, allegedly in collusion with Government officials, of looting J&K’s natural resources. He claimed that 400 to 500 trucks, loaded with river minerals, leave the region daily without paying any revenue or GST. He further alleged that illegal mining operations take place during nighttime, with materials processed in stone crushers and swiftly transported to neighboring states before dawn, leaving no trace by morning.
Following mounting complaints, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary conducted a surprise inspection of stone crushers in the Pandori area along the Ujh River. He discovered unauthorized operations and took serious note of the violations, warning the administration to put an immediate stop to them. However, Dogra alleged that the mining mafia has ignored the Deputy CM’s warnings and continues its activities at an even faster pace.
Local residents, including Seema Devi, Shingara Singh, Bodh Raj, and Parkash Singh, expressed grave concerns over heavy truck movement through Kerrian Gandyal, creating disturbances at night and posing a threat to the foundation of the Kerrian Bridge and the under-construction expressway. Villagers also reported receiving threats from stone crusher owners, warning them of consequences if they spoke out against the illegal activities.
The protesters urged the Government to take strict action against illegal mining and implement a strong policy to curb such activities.
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