MOHALI: Groups of villagers from Majri, Mubarikpur, Mullanpur, Kharar and Derabassi have alleged that there were 42 illegal mining sites and crushers that have not caught the attention of the authorities.
Despite the Punjab chief minister’s orders, the Mohali mining department has so far failed to identify illegal mining sites and submit a report to the deputy commissioner’s office.
The villagers alleged that there were around 14 sites in Majri block, 11 in Mubarikpur, eight in Mullanpur and nine in Derabassi and Kharar and they have been reporting about illegal mining to the DC office, but nothing has been done to curb the menace.
Mohali deputy commissioner Amit Talwar said, “We have sought the number of illegal sites from the mining department, but they are yet to submit their report. We will ask them to do soon or face action.”
Last month, the chief minister’s office had sought information on the identification of illegal mining sites from the DCs. The mining department had last year submitted to the Mohali administration that there was no illegal activity going on in the district, but a group of village panchayat members lodged a complaint with the DC regarding rampant illegal digging.
Former Punjab Police inspector and now panchayat member Mahinder Singh said, “The mining officer of our area has been reporting false information and concealing facts. At present, illegal miners are active and landowners have let out their farms to them.”
Last year, Mohali police had booked 19 farmland owners for conniving with illegal miners.
