August 29th, Jammu: The Geology and Mining Department, headed by District Mineral Officer Dr. Gulshan Kumar, conducted a series of raids against unlicensed excavation and mineral dumping across the district today as part of its ongoing efforts to crack down on illicit mining.
On Tuesday morning, the DMO and his crew raided many places, including Belol, Miran Sahib, Lalyal, Sumb Toph, and Surya Chack, per directives from the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu. The authorities seized three trucks being used in the smuggling of minor minerals.
Chassis numbers MBNGAALUPMRCO3963l and licence plates JK02CW0723 and JK20B 5084 were confiscated after being found to be carrying sand without the proper e-Challan (Form A). The automobiles were turned over to local police departments and Chowki officials for storage until fines were paid.
SHO Miran Sahib Police Station was given one car that was captured in the Belol area. The vehicle was confiscated in conjunction with the Incharge of the Phallian Mandal Police Chowki and turned over to the appropriate Chowki Officer after it was discovered to be unlawfully moving sand from the Mandal area. Another car was taken in Lalyal and turned over to the In-Charge of the Chatha Police Chowki.
The Mandal Chowki Incharge, the DMO, and their crew also went to the Surya Chack and Ganeshu Chack neighbourhoods. Sand equivalent to around 200 metric tonnes was found being hoarded illegally. After paying their fines, offenders were told to get in touch with the Joint Director of Geology and Mining to have their freedom back.
This measure was taken to prevent the unlawful mining, transport, and storage of minerals after receiving many complaints. Three cars and two hundred metric tonnes of sand were taken in during this operation. Eight trucks and an excavator were seized in a separate operation the day before, bringing the total number of vehicles seized over the course of the two days to eleven.
This week, the DMO Jammu, Geology and Mining, and the local police worked together to raid the Lalyal, Malka Chack, and Muckwal regions, where they found and confiscated 10 cars and 1800 metric tonnes of illegally stored sand. Seized sand mounds were given over to Chatha Chowki, and with the use of equipment, roughly 2,000 metric tonnes of sand was deposited back into the Tawi River.
