Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, July 19: A large number of the villagers drawn from Kerrian Gandyal under the banner of Ravi River Action Committee (RRAC) led by its president, Mohinder Pal blocked the National Highway at Kalibari, near here, today against the illegal mining going on frequently in Ravi river despite the implementation of Section 144 Crpc in Ravi area by the district administration.
The protestors raised slogan against the district administration, District Mining Officer, MLA Kathua and Prabodh Jain, Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Water Resources Regulatory Authority (JKWRRA). They included the women and children carrying the placards in their hands with slogan to stop illegal mining, save environment, save human life, save Ravi river.
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Besides, they were also raising anti- Government slogans. While addressing Mohinder Pal said that a nexus is operating in Kathua district in which concerning department are involved and they close their eyes as they get the hefty amount and allowed the Punjab based stone crushers to operate with out any fear and thus posing a grave threat to under construction Kerrian Gandyal bridge.
Even agriculture land is also used for deep digging by stone crushers and mine mafia, he alleged. He said nearly 10,000 population of Kerrian Gandyal is facing worst condition and acute shortage of drinking water, water level is going down , pollution level is higher due to illegal mining by stone crushers in Ravi river. A team of ground water visited to Ravi river to assess the water level. But it also gave report in favour of stone crushers while ignoring the water crises of 10,000 population which has been affected after the water level has gone down due to illegal mining.
They warned the Government to take serious action against the District Mining Department, Pollution Control Department and Irrigation and Flood Control Department and appealed the State Governor to take cognizance into the matter.
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