36 vehicles seized, 12 arrested for illegal extraction, transportation of minerals

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Acting tough against the persons involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals, police on Sunday seized 36 vehicles and arrested 12 persons across Jammu and Kashmir.
As per details, a party assisted by SHO PS Baramulla & Incharge PP Delina seized 08 vehicles (4 tippers, 4 tractors) and arrested 7 drivers for their involvement in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals at Khanpora & Delina Ghat. They have been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Dar son of Gh Mohammad Dar resident of Ijara Pehlipora, Nisar Ahmad Bhat son of Gh Ahmad Bhat resident of Gosia Colony Azad Gunj Baramulla, Parvaiz Ahmad Dar son of Ab Gani Dar resident of Juhama Baramulla, Sajad Ahmad Sheikh son of Ab Hamid Sheikh resident of Sumbal Shilwath, Mohd Shafi Mir son of Gh Ahmad Mir resident of Nihalpora Pattan, Parvaiz Ahmad Bhat son of Mohd Abdullah Bhat resident of Wanigam Kreeri & Imtiyaz Ahmad Miyan son of Mohd Afzal Miyan resident of Burran Pattan.
Similarly, a police party assisted by SHO PS Kunzer seized 3 vehicles (tractors) and arrested 3 drivers for their involvement in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals at Bongam Kunzer. They have been identified as Mohd Rafeeq Khanday son of Gh Mohd Khanday, Irshad Ahmad Mir son of Gh Hassan Mir & Irfan Ahmad Dar son of Gh Mohi Din Dar all residents Of Harduaboora.
Moreover, a police party assisted by Incharge PP Kungamdara seized 2 vehicles (1 tipper & 1 excavator) and arrested 2 drivers for their involvement in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals at Tapper. They have been identified as Khurshed Ahmad Wani son of Ab Ahad Wani resident of Tapper Payeen & Dilshaan Ahmad Khan son of Shams Din Khan resident of Ramban.
Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective Police Station and investigations have been initiated.
Meanwhile, in a successful joint operation conducted by the Police and Mining Department, 20 vehicles involved in the illegal transportation and extraction of minor minerals were seized/fined in Poonch District.
The operation, carried out under the direction of Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Yasin M. Choudhary and in the presence of DMO Poonch, Javed Iqbal, aimed to curb the unlawful extraction and transportation of minor minerals, which poses a threat to the environment and results in revenue loss for the government.
One heavy excavator was seized at Dingla and handed over to Local public representative till higher authorities impose fine, while Two paths used for illegal mining were dismantled in Poonch.
In addition to this, the joint operation, led by the police party and Mining Department, resulted in the seizure of one JCB and three tractors at Jhullass and one JCB ,one Dumper and three tractors at Khari ,two tractors at seri khawaja ,one dumper , five Tippers and two tractors at surankote .
The coordinated efforts of the teams ensured the effective enforcement of the law and sent a strong message against illegal activities related to minor mineral transportation and extraction.
Illegal mining and transportation of minor minerals can cause significant environmental degradation, leading to long-term consequences for the ecosystem. Moreover, such activities result in substantial revenue loss for the government, hampering development initiatives and public welfare programes.
DMO Poonch, Javed Iqbal, highlighted the significance of strict enforcement measures to deter individuals involved in illegal activities related to minor minerals. He urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities, ensuring the protection of the environment, save loss to the precious lives , request to vehicles owners to take material from legal Mining blocks and the sustainable utilization of mineral resources.
Jammu also seized 3 vehicles involved in illegal mining. The seized vehicles include One tractor trolley bearing Chasis no. FZZDF55085253, by Miran Sahib Police; Two tractor trollies without Registration Nos by Jourian Police.
The recoveries were made by SHO PS Miran Sahib Inspr Bopinder Singh and I/C PP Jourian PSI Karnail Singh in their respective jurisdictions.