Irate people protest against illegal mining

People protesting against illegal mining in Kathua on Thursday. — Excelsior/Pardeep
People protesting against illegal mining in Kathua on Thursday. — Excelsior/Pardeep

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: The residents of village Kumari-Kathera led by BJP senior leader Prem Nath Dogra held a protest demonstration in the premises of DC Office Kathua against the illegal mining in their areas under the nose of District administration. The protestors raised slogans against Mining Department.
While addressing BJP leader, Prem Nath Dogra said that the illegal mining is going on in night hours in Kumari-Kathera Khud in large number under the nose of district administration and Mining Department. He said that the land mafia and mining mafia is active in their area and frequently lifting the minerals from Khud. But when a local person visits to collect material for personal use his tractor trolley is being seized by Police and Mining Department. But no action is taken against mafia, he added.
He alleged that mafia also harassed the local peoples and a complaint has already been registered with police. The protestors warned the administration to stop illegal practice, otherwise people would forced to block the highway. Among others Ghulam Din, Parkesh Chand, Balak Ram, Raman Kumar and Shah Din also joined the protest.  They also met with Deputy Commissioner, Kathua and submitted a memorandum to him demanding action against mining mafia.