Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 29: A Joint team of Mining Department and Kathua Police led by District Mineral Officer, Kathua Rajinder Singh paid surprise visit in Ravi river and Sahar Khad areas of the district today.
During the operation, seven vehicles involved in illegal mining were seized which include five at Sahar Khad and Logate and two in Ravi river.
DMO informed that all the vehicles after seizure as per SRO-105 of 2016 and MM&DR Act of 1957 were taken to Police Posts Bhagtali and Taraf Tajwal and shall only be released after payment of penalty.
Three more vehicles involved in illegal mining in minor mineral Block No.01 fled from the spot despite long chase by the mining officials.
During raids, violators and local people were also informed about rules of Department and also asked to purchase and transport mining material on e-challans duly authenticated by the Geology and Mining Department and not to lift mineral from Khads.
Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rahul Pandey has already instructed the Geology and Mining Department to take stern action against the violators for illegally lifting raw and finished mineral from the Khads and Nallahs.
The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of SSP Kathua, Shivdev Singh Jamwal.
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