Mining Dept seizes 3 tippers, 1 JCB involved in illegal mining at govt sites

Ludhiana, March 4: Following the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Mines and Geology Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, various teams of mining department conducted surprise raid in Bhukhri and Dhanansu and seized five tippers and one JCB involved in illegal sand mining at the government mining site in villages Dhanansu and Bhukhri of the district.

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A case under sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 379 (Whoever, with the intention to commit theft), 186 (Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 21 of Mines and Minerals Act 1957 against Kuldeep Singh, Randhir Singh, Harbhajan Singh and others at Meharban Police Station under Police Commissionerate Ludhiana.

As per information available, various teams of local mining department including Mining inspectors Aman Thakur, Ankit Kumar, Parvesh Shukla along with local cops conducted raids in Dhanansu and Bhukhri and found five tippers and three JCBs involved in illegal mining there. When the teams went to check on the occupants, they allegedly tried to attack the teams and two of JCBs managed to flee away from the spot. 

Following which senior officials of mining department led by Executive Engineer (XEN) cum District Mining Officer reached the spot and filed a complaint against the accused and handed over seized tippers and one JCB to the cops. 

Appreciating the efforts of the officials, Mines and Geology Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that the Punjab government was committed to wipe out illegal mining completely from the state and no one involved in this malpractice will be spared. He said that the drive against illegal mining would be implemented effectively so that no one was able to take the law in their hands. Asserting the firm commitment to wipe out the mining mafia from Punjab, Hayer said lawlessness would not be tolerated and the illegal miners would be dealt with a strong hand.   

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Please Note:  This press note has been issued by Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer when correspondents of PTC News went to Zero Ground. 

Notably, no official press note has been issued by police, neither by mining department.