launching a scathing attack on the State Government for failing to control the activities of mining mafia in Uttarakhand the leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Ajay Bhatt has said that the State is virtually being ruled by the mining, land and liquor mafias. He said that the mining mafias in the State are emboldened as the police are not taking any action on them. Bhatt said that people belonging to this mafia have become so daring that they even attempted to run down Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Vikasnagar. In a statement released to the media Bhatt stated, “The mining mafia has become so brazen and its activities are being carried out so blatantly but the police is unable to keep a tab on such illegal activities. On August 27, the lackeys of the mining mafia tried to run over two youth riding a two-wheeler while a car narrowly escaped being hit. Why are the authorities remaining silent and inactive when it comes to the blatant criminal activities of the mining mafiaIJ This proves that the mining mafia is working in connivance with the State Government,” he said.
The loP said that the mining mafia had tried to run over the sub divisional magistrate at Vikasnagar on August 23 but till date no action has been taken against the culprits. The position of the common people can only be imagined considering the lack of official action against those trying to intimidate Government officials.
“On the one hand the State’s Chief Minister talks for forming a team to act against the mining mafia in Uttarakhand while on the other hand the officials are being stopped from taking any action against the mining mafia. That no concrete action has been taken so far to stop the activities of the mining mafia proves that illegal mining is being continued with the support of the State Government,” he alleged.