Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 17: Irritate over the ignoring attitude of Government to put a stop on illegal mining in Ravi river, the residents of Keerian-Gandyal residing near Ravi river held protest against the Government and blocked the DC office road.
The protesters drawn from Kerrian Gandyal including the women in large numbers reached DC office, held protest and blocked the vehicular movement for half an hour. They raised slogans against the District Mining Department, Pollution Control Department, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, National Green Tribunal and the State Government for not taking any action against the illegal mining going on day and night in Ravi river.
“The illegal mining pose a serious threat to environment. The water level has came down which caused the drinking water and irrigation water crises”, said President Ravi River Action Committee, Mohinder Kumar.
He alleged that this is the fifth time when they have been forced to come on the road against illegal mining, but the Government is not paying any attention towards it.
He demanded immediate action against those who are indulged in illegal mining, failing which the irate residents will protest in aggressive manner and also block the Jammu-Pathankote National Highway.
BJP District President Prem Nath Dogra said that mining mafia is operating in the river Ravi in connivance with the District Mining Department and this is the reason that no action has been initiated against mining mafia despite protests by the residents.
Later, the protesters met with Deputy Commissioner Rohit Khajuria and submitted a memorandum and demanded strict action against the mining mafia.
Among other present were Pawan Singh, Rajesh Kumar, Sunita Kumari, Minu Kumari, etc.
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