Following on the media reports about illegal mining in Ganga River in Haridwar, Illegal Mining Prevention Vigilance Unit (IMPVU) conducted raids at various riverbed areas of Pherupur, Raipur Raighati, Shyampur, Mithi Beri in Haridwar on Friday.
During an inspection, they seized 21 heavy machines, which were being used for mining in Haridwar district. This was disclosed by Illegal Mining prevention vigilance unit chief executive officer DIG SK Gunjiyal while talking to the mediapersons on Friday.
However, Matrusadan head Swami Shivanand Saraswati sought the State Government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct thorough investigation of ongoing illegal mining activities at various riverbed areas in the district. He will go for hunger strike if State Government fails to form a SIT for the same by July 5.
Moreover, Gunjyal said, “In view of increasing cases of illegal mining activities in Haridwar district, we have conducted raids at various riverbed areas and seized 21 heavy machines used for illegal mining activities in the district. Out of 21 heavy machines, 17 are pokland machines and four are JCB machines. In one operation, this is the highest number of pokland machines seized by the team so far.”
Gunjyal added that the team will continue conducting drives against illegal mining activities and actions against illegal mining operators will be taken as per the law in the State.