Demonetisation curbs illegal mining in Uttarakhand's district

RUDRAPUR: Sixteen days after demonetization, as queues outside banks and ATMs continue to get longer, the decline in purchasing power of customers due to currency shortage has hit not just legal businesses but also the illegal ones. Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district, a hotbed of illegal mining, has seen the business affected.
Demonetisation has done what law enforcement agencies have tried and failed to do.Villagers in the area are now calling it a blessing in disguise.
The forest area and stretches along the Kosi river adjoining Guljarpur village in Kashipur tehsil of the district have always been a prime target of illegal miners and the racket has been thriving here despite efforts by the police and forest departments. Guljarpur residents used to hear the sound of trucks and earthmovers round the clock. Following the currency ban, movement of trucks has fallen, giving considerable relief to residents.
“Lives of villagers were miserable, as there was always a rick of accidents caused by these vehicles. The currency ban has put the brakes on this racket, so it has brought us some temporary relief,” said Neeraj Kumar, a Guljarpur resident.
“The road to Kundeshwari from here used to be packed with vehicles involved in illegal mining. The currency shortage has caused a huge problem to us, but it has been a blessing in disguise. Now is the time for law enforcement agencies to stop illegal mining in the region,” said Shyam Sunder, another villager.
One of the dumper drivers, on condition of anonymity, said that the drivers were being paid in demonetised currency notes. “It’s not possible for any of us to put our lives at stake and risk imprisonment for illegal miners, and then stand in queues to get the notes exchanged. It is better to sit at home with the money we already have and wait for the situation to return to normal,” he added.
It is a similar situation in Bazpur and Shantipuri areas. Decline in illegal mining activities has brought relief to villagers. Vinod Koranga from Shantipuri alleged that the currency ban has broken the nexus between police, forest officials and illegal miners. “Now the authorities should bring an end to the racket in the area,” he added.
T D Vaila, assistant superintendent of police of the district, gave the credit for the decline in illegal mining to the actions of his department, and said the improved situation had nothing to do with the currency crunch. “Police teams are active in every area where the racket thrives, so that it is brought under control,” he added.