Four booked for illegal sand mining

Amritsar, July 2

The Bhindi Saida police have booked four persons for allegedly indulging in illegal excavation of land near the Ravi river. It was an agricultural land.

The case was registered following a complaint by officials of the mining department. They said they had got a tip-off that illegal digging of sand was going on at the spot. A visit to the site confirmed this.

In the complaint lodged by Inderjit Singh, junior engineer-cum mining inspector, river works, Amritsar subdivision, said Nirmal Singh, Jagtar Singh, Nirvair Singh and Sukh, all residents of Ghoga village falling under the Bhindi Saida police station, were involved in illegal sand exaction during nights.

A team led by him inspected the spot. Though no recovery was made from the scene, it was found that there was a crater of around 40 by 40 feet from which around 12-feet-deep sand was illegally excavated. He said the accused did not have any licence or approval from the department for same.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Kuldeep Singh, investigating officer, said a case under Section 21 (1) of the Mining Act was registered against four suspects and raids were on to nab them.