Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Aug 26: As police are busy in tackling the ongoing unrest across Valley, the sand mafia is busy in mining from river Jhelum illegally by using sand excavation machines.
At the crack of dawn, scores of sand excavating machines can be seen running at various spots like Pandrethan and Batwara on city outskirts and in Sempora area of Pampore on the banks of Jhelum. These machines run for two to three hours in the morning and excavate over hundred truckloads of sand which they ferry after dusk to their stores where they stock this illegally mined sand.
A truck driver, Shahid Ahmad, who used to ferry sand in his truck, said these sand mining machines excavate sand within some two to three kilometres stretch. “They operate for two to three hours in the morning. Then they left the excavated sand for the whole day in a trench dug to store the sand. During night hours they ferry the sand to some places where they can store so that they can sell it at their own will,” he said.
Pertinently, the State High Court has banned the excavation of sand through machine as excessive mining can lead to degradation of rivers and the ecosystem.
A police officer while admitting to Excelsior that they have been battling with the sand mining for a long time and they have taken stringent actions against the accused but the current unrest is proving to be a tough challenge for the law machinery. “Some people are taking advantage of the present crisis and are indulging in the illegal activities like sand mining. Previously we have confiscated these machines to demoralise these culprits,” he said.
In reply to a question, the police officer clearly said that it is not possible for them to take action against the sand law violators. “Our first priority is restoration of law and order this time. Once the things improve, we will take strict action against these sand miners who employ illegal methods to excavate sand,” he assured.
An official of Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Department said that the ongoing unrest has affected their drive against the violators. “Yes, some people are indulging in illegal works and we do have had such reports. We have, however, confiscated so far 8 machines in Srinagar areas and we are trying to continue our drive,” he said, adding that they have roped in local populace in curbing illegal activities. “People are cooperating with us,” the official added.
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