In view of rampant instances of illegal mining activities especially in the riverbed areas, the Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIGs) of Garhwal and Kumaon have directed their range district police chiefs to launch drives against illegal mining activities in coordination with staff of the forest, mining and revenue departments.
DIG Kumaon Range, Ajay Rautela said that anti- mining squad comprised of efficient police personnel has been formed at the district levels in the range and these squads are conducting raids from time to time to apprehend the illegal mining operators. Such drives have been launched in Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Almora and other mountainous districts on Kumaon region. The police officers have been directed to submit report on the same to the DIG’s office. One can inform the DIG or the district police chiefs directly if any illegal mining activities are being seen taking place in their area.
Garhwal Range DIG Pushpak said that police chiefs of Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri and other districts were directed to take measures to prevent illegal mining in the area under their jurisdiction.
They should also seek help from district administration for the same purpose. In addition to this, they have been directed to conduct checking drives at important places with the deployment of adequate police force to check the illegal mining activities.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nainital, Janmejay Khanduri inspected riverbed areas of Kosi river with his sub-ordinates in the district on Monday.
He said that three tractor-trolleys were seized when found carrying illegally quarried material with cases being booked under sections 379 and 411 of the Indian Penal Code and under the relevant sections of Forest Act against the accused in the police station concerned. Such drives will continue in the district, he added.
The Udham Singh Nagar SSP, Sadanand Date said that along with district administration several teams have been formed and they are conducting raids in the riverbed areas to put a check on illegal mining.