Admn, police hand in glove with quarrying mafia: Matra Sadan

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 9

Matra Sadan ashram founder Swami Shivanand Saraswati has accused the district administration and the police of having a nexus with quarrying mafia. At a press meet on the ashram premises in Jagjeetpur village here today, he said quarrying on a large scale was being done on the Ganga riverbed and no action was being taken.

“This is happening even when the state government has prohibited quarrying in the district. I will take the legal route to expose the officials concerned who are hand in glove with mafia. Barring seizure of tractor-trolleys and dumpers, no culprit involved in quarrying is being arrested. Even a notice hasn’t been issued to erring persons. Through illegal quarrying, the anti-social elements earn in crores per week,” he said.

According to Swami Shivanand Saraswati, he would sue not only against quarrying mafia, but also the officials who gave them free hands to operate.

Meanwhile, Matra Sadan ashramites have claimed that there was a threat to the life of Swami Shivanand Saraswati as suspicious movements near the ashram have been noticed. They are hopeful that the illegal activity would come to a halt with the imposition of code of conduct.