Three vehicles seized for illegal mining

The police have seized two earthmoving machines and a truck that were allegedly being used in mining near the Chhatbir Zoo area and booked the unidentified owners of the vehicle under Section 21(1) and 4 (A) of the Mining and Minerals Act 1957.

Inspector Jaskanwal Singh, Zirakpur Station House Officer, said a complaint was filed by Mining Inspector Yatin Shivalik. Officials of the Drainage Department said during patrolling and checking in the Chhat area, it was found that mining was going on near the Ghaggar river in Chhatt village and Rampura. When the police reached the spot, the miners fled the spot, leaving behind the vehicles.

Local residents said the illegal mining here was disturbing the eco-sensitive area and also posed a risk to the dam near the Banur canal.