A total of two excavators and eight loaded vehicles involved in illegal mining were seized by District Mineral Officer (DMO) Kathua Rajinder Singh Rana here today.
The action was initiated on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas who has already asked Geology and Mining department to adopt strict measures against illegal mining activities.
The surprise raids were laid by team of Geology and Mining comprised of Mineral Guards led by DMO at Ravi river, Ujh River, Sahar Khad and Hiranagr in which eight vehicles and two excavators were seized and kept in the custody of police till realization of penalty.
DMO Kathua informed that one excavator was excavating material from illegally encroached State land at Taraf Tajwal and other excavator was mining River Bed Material (RBM) near stone crusher in Ravi belts in violations of mining rules.
DMO further informed that there are 08 mineral leases/blocks in Ravi River , Ujh River and Sahar Khad for supplying material at fixed rates but instead of purchasing material from the leases, the violators lift mineral from unidentified locations where mining is strictly banned or prohibited.