Sand-mafia active in Kashmir since Aug 5

Srinagar, Nov 16 (KNS): As New Delhi scrapped special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on August 5, sand mafia got activated taking advantage of the crisis

Sources said there is no let up in illegal exercise which is being carried out during night across the valley. According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), the wrongdoers with full assistance of officials are digging Jhelum river at several locations during night and are excavating sand with no let-up.

Reports said from last more than three months sand mafia has used hi-tech machinery with the active support of government officials to excavate sand from different locations including Awantipora-Pulwama and Athwajan to Rajbagh.

Sources said that every night sand evacuators carry illegal work and are taking undue advantage of darkness with an aim to conceal their illegal task. The evacuated sand lies on the banks for several hours after which it is being transported through tippers to various locations.

Pertinently J&K High Courts had earlier issued orders in this regard and had said that authorities should desist from sand evacuation through mechanical means as it harms the environment of rivers and water bodies badly. The court in its direction had said that “due to sand evacuation, the surface of the river or water body gets badly affected”.

Sources said, prior to August 5, Department of Mechanical & Flood Control took action against the sand evacuators but no action has been initiated against them from the last three months. (KNS) 

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