AAP starts drive against illegal sand mining in Fazilka

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, May 20

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a campaign against illegal sand mining in Fazilka district.

The party has alleged that the illegal trade was being carried out with impunity under the patronage of ruling party leaders in border villages of Shamshabad, Kanwanwali and other areas.

“Excavating sand beyond the stipulated limit has left an adverse affect on environment. Besides, heavy vehicles carrying sand have damaged roads in the area,” alleged AAP youth leaders Shantanu Siag and Kirti Siag.

AAP leaders met the affected villagers in Shamshabad village. The illegal sand mining should be stopped immediately, demanded villagers Manjit Singh, Vijay Handa, Satnam Singh and Jagdish Singh.

Shantanu alleged that at some places, contractors had dug quarries even up to 20 feet instead of 10 feet approved by the government.

Official sources said the state government had granted licence to excavate the sand from nine quarries including Gaganke, Badha, Miani Basti, Gurka, Hasta Kalan and Kanwali villages in Fazilka subdivision and Ruknakasam, Amirkhas and Dharmuwala village of Jalalabad subdivision.

The AAP leaders have alleged that excavation work was being done at illegal quarries also. Shantanu warned that if the illegal digging was not checked, they would stage a protest before the office of the Deputy Commissioner here.

General Manager, Mining Department, Gurjant Singh said sand mining in quarries other than those earmarked was illegal and he had asked the staff to stop the excavation work if it was carried out in an illegal manner.