Galena mineral seized along Uttarakhand border

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan,March 2

A team of mining officials seized huge quantities of galena mineral, from which lead is extracted, during a surprise raid conducted along the Himachal-Uttarakhand border in Shillai subdivision, near Siasu village, yesterday.

Mining officer Sarit Chander said there were reports of illegal mining along the right bank of the Tons river, near Siasu village, in Shillai subdivision. It was the main ore from which lead was extracted. He said the value of the seized material was in lakhs. It was found extracted illegally and stacked at the spot and was to be transported to neighbouring Uttarakhand.

The officer said miscreants had undertaken illegal mining by engaging a chain-mounted machine for the extraction of this mineral. Since the area was not accessible through road from Himachal side, the miscreants managed to flee when the team arrived. They also managed to pull the machinery back into Uttarakhand side, thus inhibiting the officials from impounding it.

Sarit Chander said a campaign to check illegal mining in this bordering belt would continue with the assistance of the district administration. A bike was also found assisting this operation at the spot. It was also known that people engaged in this act had stayed at a PWD guest house at Shillai for a few days.

SP, Sirmaur, Ajay Sharma, said a case under Section 379 of the IPC and Section 21 of the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation)Act, 1957, had been registered at Shillai.