BSF to Punjab and Haryana High Court: Mining near border big security threat

Saurabh Malik

Chandigarh, August 3

In a scathing report on illegal mining in the border areas of Punjab, the Border Security Force (BSF) has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the presence of “hundreds of labourers”, whose antecedents had not been verified by the local police, so close to the international border was perceived to be a “big security hazard”.

The BSF also stated that mining began before sunrise and went on till late night. At times, it went on throughout the night. “In recent days, there have been several drone incursions from Pakistan where the possibility of dropping of contraband and arms and ammunition cannot be ruled out. It is a huge threat to security at the international border,” the report added.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, the report dated August 1 sent by the BSF authorities was placed before the Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli by senior panel counsel for the Union of India Arun Gosain.

The Bench added the state of Punjab had also filed an affidavit on action taken against illegal mining, but it did not have specific mention or details regarding Pathankot or Gurdaspur districts. It had also not been stated whether illegal mining in those areas had been stopped. The affidavit stated that 603 FIRs had been registered against 958 individuals from January 1 till July 26 while 690 persons were arrested, of whom 663 were released on bail by lower courts. As many as 536 vehicles, of the 777 impounded by the police during the period, were released by lower courts.

Before parting, the Bench took note of Gosain’s submission that other reports on the issue were still awaited from the Army, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as well as the National Institute of Hydrology and Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. An environment impact assessment report in that area was also to be prepared for submission to the court.

The Bench fixed the case for further hearing on August 29. The developments took place on a petition filed in 2012 by Gurbir Singh Pannu. He was seeking auction in a transparent and time-bound manner to curtail illegal mining.

Punjab Govt cites remedial steps

• 603 FIRs lodged against 958 persons from January 1 till July 26
• 690 arrests made, 663 of them released on bail by lower courts
• 777 vehicles impounded, 536 of these released by lower courts
• (Data in Punjab Govt affidavit)