Following a joint operation by the Vikasnagar police and Tehsil officials, a total of 21 trucks carrying illegally quarried minerals, sand and grit were seized from the Vikasnagar area in the last two days. Critics opine that due to nexus between mafia and local politicians, illegal mining has remained rampant on the river beds of Dehradun.
While talking to The Pioneer, Vikasnagar sub divisional magistrate Ashok Pandey said that 17 trucks carrying illegal quarried minerals, sand and grit were seized on Saturday and four were seized on Sunday. Those involved in illegal mining will be charged maximum penalty for such offence. According to him, joint operations of police and Tehsil officials would continue in the Vikasnagar area to prevent illegal mining activities.
“We carry out instant raids on receiving reports of any activity of illegal mining and some time even deploy our teams for surprise inspection in the river beds in Vikasnagar," he added. A letter has been written to the Vikasnagar Deputy Superintendent of Police to deploy police force at those areas where illegal mining are rampant.
According to Dehradun Tehsil officials, Dehradun district had collected Rs1.40 crore in the form of penalty on 618 illegal mining operators in the last year. Apart from this, the department had collected around Rs3.50 crore in royalty from different departments like public works department, irrigation and power departments in the last year.
According to critics, illegal mining operators are being patronised by the local politicians. Not only this, some local politicians are also involved in such activities in Vikasnagar. These politicians put pressure over the district administration to reduce the penalty, which is imposed by the officials after being caught illegal lifting of minerals from the river beds. In some cases, the politicians put pressure on administration to transfer the officers who conduct raids or take action against illegal mining operators for the same. The Vikasnagar SDM was recently transferred following action against illegal mining but following media reports, the chief minister revoked the transfer.