Karnal | April 09, 2015:

People mine sand illegally from a running canal at Gagsina village of Karnal district on Thursday. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar

Despite a ban, sand mining is continuing along the banks of the Yamuna river, Western Yamuna canal and other canals of the district.

Recently, a police party was attacked by the mining mafia on the intervening night of April 7-8 near Balhera village. In this incident, mining cell in-charge had received injuries.

Besides, cases of illegal mining registered by the police have also seen a rise in the district. As per the police records, the district police had registered 85 cases of illegal sand mining since 2013 and seized more than 80 loaded vehicles and arrested 61 people.

To know the reality of the claims of the district administration of checking illegal sand mining in the district, The Tribune team visited the Yamuna river and Western Yamuna canal. Several people were digging out sand from a flowing canal in broad daylight.

Sources said the state government and later the High Court had imposed a ban on sand mining. However, the High Court had removed the ban but due to lack of environmental clearance from the departments concerned the ban was still on.

“A special cell is working to check illegal mining in the district. Several cases have been registered and many vehicles have been impounded by the police,” said SP Abhishek Garg.

“To control illegal mining, a district task force has been constituted which conducts raids from time to time. Despite this, even if the incidents of sand mining are occurring, it is a serious issue and I will check where the lapses are,” said J Ganesan, Deputy Commissioner.

(Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com)