Baramulla, Nov 01: In an ongoing effort to curb illegal mining activities in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, police have taken stringent action, registering 177 cases related to the illegal mining of minerals and soil in the district.
A police official said that a total of 459 individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the extraction and transportation of minerals throughout the current year.
He said that 458 vehicles comprising 210 tippers, 238 tractors and 10 excavators were seized from various areas within the district as part of the crackdown on illegal mineral transportation.
“The people involved in illegal mineral extraction and the vehicles used in the extraction were arrested and seized from Jahama, Chakloo, Sheeri, Tangmarg and several other areas of the district,” he said
Collaborating with the Mineral Department, Baramulla Police imposed fines totalling lakhs of rupees for unauthorised mineral extraction and transportation within the district.
Expressing their commitment to addressing the issue, Baramulla Police emphasised their determination to take action against those exploiting night hours for illegal mineral extraction.
“Such activities not only pose a threat to public health and the environment but also impact government revenue adversely,” police said.
