Baramulla, Nov 14: In a joint operation, Baramulla Police in collaboration with the District Mineral Office and Irrigation & Flood Control Department on Tuesday launched a crackdown on illegal mining of minerals, specifically targeting the sand mafia in Chakloo village of Baramulla.
A police official in Baramulla said that under the supervision of DySP Headquarters Baramulla and with the assistance of SHO Baramulla, law enforcement officers, along with officials from the District Mineral and Irrigation & Flood Control departments, conducted raids on multiple houses in Chakloo village.
“These locations were identified as sites where illegally extracted sand was being stockpiled by the sand mafia,” he said, adding that the ongoing raids are conducted to address the environmental and legal concerns surrounding illegal mining activities.
FIRs under relevant sections of the law have been registered at Police Station Baramulla, initiating thorough investigations into the matter, the official further said.
An official from the District Mining Office Baramulla emphasized the continuation of the operation until illegal mining activities cease in the area.
Responding to concerns about potential job losses, the official clarified to Rising Kashmir that people could extract sand from the Jhelum River with proper authorization from the IFC department.
“The crackdown primarily targets those involved in unauthorized extraction from river banks. We are not seizing the sand of those extracting from river Jhelum duly approved by the department but the sand mafia who find it easy to extract sand from river banks,” he said.
He said that the extraction of sand by river banks is not only affecting the river Jhelum but the environment also.
During the operation, seized sand was confiscated by the department.
This initiative aligns with Baramulla police’s broader campaign against illegal mining, resulting in 181 cases registered and 473 individuals arrested for involvement in mineral extraction and transportation during the current year.
Additionally, 472 vehicles, including 218 tippers, 244 tractors, and 10 excavators, used in illegal transport of minerals, have been seized from various areas in the district.
Local residents welcomed the administration’s action, expressing relief from the reign of terror imposed by the sand mafia.
“The illicit activities not only posed environmental hazards but also led to issues like poor road conditions and respiratory problems due to the constant passage of trucks and tractors,” the locals of Chakloo told Rising Kashmir.
