38 machines seized from sand quarry in Fazilka district

Fazilka, August 26

The Fazilka police and Mining Department have so far confiscated 38 machines and vehicles involved in illegal sand mining. A joint raid had been conducted at an illegal sand quarry in Sukhera Bodla village of Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka district on Sunday.

The vehicles include two poclain and one JCB machines and 35 tractor trailers, including 11 trailers loaded with sand.

On the basis of the statement of Navdeep Kamboj, Sub-Division Officer, Drainage cum Mining, Jalalabad, an FIR has been registered under Section 303(2) of BNS (theft) and 21(1), 4(1) of the Mining Act against unidentified persons.

Despite confiscating a record number of vehicles, neither the police nor the Mining Department could identify or nab any of the accused who were involved in excavation of sand from the illegal quarry. The registration of FIR against “unidentified drivers” has raised many eyebrows.

It has been stated in the FIR that when the teams of officials reached the site, all the 38 drivers fled away leaving behind their vehicles.

Balwinder Singh of Sukhera Bodla village said that he had lodged complaints with the authorities and CM regarding illegal excavation of sand in the village, resulting in the raid. He alleged that digging is being carried out even up to 40-50 ft against the stipulated depth of 10 ft. He also alleged that illegal slips were being issued to the buyers.

The villagers alleged that the illegal sand quarry was being run in an organised manner under the patronage of ruling party leaders and officers concerned since long. Ladoo and Amandeep, tractor drivers, have alleged that Rs 18.50 to 20 are being charged, including all charges, against the stipulated price of Rs 5.78 per cubic feet.