People protest against Mining Deptt

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 31: Illegal mining and collection of royalty by the mafia in league with Mining Department sparked protest demonstration at Nagri near here, today.
The demonstration was held by the residents of Pandoori and Nagri against the mining mafia and the Mining Department. The protestors raised slogans against the Mining Department and alleged that a mafia group is harassing the people and collecting money on the name of royalty without giving a proper receipt to the tractor trolleys who are extracting bajri and sand from Ujh river.
The protestors demanded stern action against these unscrupulous elements who in league with officials of Mining Department have let loose a reign of terror in the area.
The protestors said they harass the people without giving the proper receipt and demanded that they should give the proper receipt against the royalty paid by them. They alleged five groups come in the area daily and harass the tractor operators demanding Rs 500 as royalty from them per load despite the fact that the material being lifted by them is used for the Government works being constructed under various schemes.
The protestors said that they have no objection to pay royalty but they should be given proper receipt so that they can produce the slip before the departmental officials in case they too ask for payment of royalty.