Following complaints of rampant and illegal mining of sand and boulders from the rivers and streams of the district, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Syed Aabid Rashid Shah today directed respective departments to take action against the miscreants involved in illegal mining.Stressing on the concerned departments to improve their vigil on the mining mafia that extracts sand and boulders, mainly from Veshov River and adjoining Nallahs, the DC said that mining on vital embankments of the rivers and streams flowing in the flood prone district may become detrimental if not checked.The Deputy Commissioner also formulated teams, which will comprise of Tehsildar of the respective catchment areas, Xen of I&FC, officials of Geology and Mining and respective police stations. The Deputy Commissioner tasked the teams to visit the mining prone areas of the district and initiate legal action against the illegal sand and boulder extractors.
The DC also said that a Magisterial order has been issued with immediate effect, which bans illegal extraction of sand and boulders from the rivers and streams in Kulgam district and erring persons who do not abide by the law should be booked under law, and machinery and vehicles of the those involved should be seized.The DC said that drive against the habitual offenders should be started at already identified mining prone areas including Ladgoo Nallah, Adijin Nallah, Nihama, Ashmuji, Achthal and Brazloo.The meeting was attended by SSP Kulgam, ADC, EXEN of I&FC, Tehsildars, officers of geology and mining besides other district officers.