HARIDWAR | March 02, 2015: Matri Sadan ascetics in Haridwar said mining of sand from the Ganga river bed continues unabated, despite the fact that 22-year-old Brahmachari Atmabodhanand's fast against the illegal mining has entered the 12th day on Monday.

"Damage to the river bed is huge, but we have received no reaction from any quarter. The state government refuses to answer questions the ashram has raised regarding illegal mining," said Brahmachari Dayanand, asserting the peaceful struggle against the illegal activity would continue.

However, ashram members have not lost hope yet. Dayanand asserted that nothing will deter them from fighting for the river that is being destroyed by the mining mafia working. The ashram has been fighting a relentless battle against illegal mining in the Ganga for about 15 years.

"It is not surprising that the chief minister has issued a statement about starting mining in all state rivers at the same time when an ascetic is staking his life to get it completely banned," Dayanand remarked.

In an open letter written to Harish Rawat a few days ago, Matri Sadan chief Swami Shivanand levelled several charges against the state government. These include an alleged involvement of the administrative office with the mining mafia, and the government's violation of the Union ministry of environment and forest, Supreme Court and high court orders on mining.

Officials who try to implement these laws are transferred under pressure from the mining mafia, the letter alleged. The government has not cared so far to respond to the charges, Shivanand said. He questioned the integrity of the state's anti-mining cell raiding stone crushers and mining sites. "It imposes huge penalties only to drastically reduce it later to favour the mafia," he said.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)