Pathankot cops crack the whip on illegal mining, book 8 persons

The Pathankot police have cracked the whip against illegal mining and registered a case against eight persons engaged in unauthorised excavation of sand and mining material in the Chakki river. Pathankot, with several rivers and rivulets criss-crossing each other, is considered to be a mining-rich district.

SSP Daljinder Singh Dhillon said the police acted on specific inputs which were gathered over a period of time. “Acting on these inputs, our team raided a site on the far side of the Chakki river where illegal mining was being done,” he said.

The police have also confiscated two tipper trucks and a poclain machine from the spot. These machines were used for heavy duty work like digging, excavation and demolition. The two tippers trucks did not bear any registration numbers.

Once the police were sure that illegal mining was being done on the far side of the Chakki river near Abadgarh village, the SSP constituted a team under Anita Thakur, SHO, Nangal Bhoor police station, to conduct a raid at the site. The SHO and her team members crossed the river to seize the tipper trucks and other equipment.

“SHO Thakur has done a commendable job. Undeterred by the fast flow of water, she managed to cross the river to seize the mining equipment. One person has been arrested from the spot while a hunt has been launched to arrest other seven accused. Bunty of Guru Nanak Stone Crushers is the kingpin of the entire illegal mining operation. This will serve as a warning to others to refrain from this unlawful exercise,” the SSP said.

Officials of the Police Department have praised SHO Thakur for the dare she showed by crossing the river with her team. A case was registered under various sections of the Mining Act at the Nangal Bhoor police station in this connection.