Handwara, July 26: Residents of Baki-Aker in Handwara town on Tuesday expressed strong resentment over the alleged inaction of authorities to curb illegal mining in the area.
A local delegation told GNS that heavy machinery is plundering minerals from the local Nallah every night with the relevant departments doing nothing to stop it.
They stated that the Department of Geology & Mining was repeatedly informed, ‘but they failed to take any concentrated action against the mafia’.
They also claimed those who are illegally dredging the minerals from the Nallah have stored the material in the village causing inconvenience to the general populace. “The water level in the stream has risen significantly, causing locals in the surrounding areas to struggle to irrigate their paddy fields”, they said.
We urge Deputy Commissioner Kupwara and the relevant department to initiate action against the unscrupulous elements involved in the activity.
Meanwhile when contacted, a Geology & Mining Department official told GNS that the issue has been already brought into their notice. “We have seized two tractors along with material from the site a few days before”, the official said.
