Illegal extraction of soil goes unabated in Pulwama
Will take action, says DMO
Pulwama: The residents of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have alleged that illegal soil extraction goes unabated in different villages of the district while the authorities are acting as mute spectators.
Inhabitants of the district accused the authorities of completely failure to take action against illegal extractors which is going on even in broad daylight.
Locals said that some people are extracting soil from different Karewas, thereby creating a natural imbalance and damaging the roads.
“The JCB’s are openly extracting the soil from the Karewas while the authorities don’t even bother to reach to the spot to take action against them. It seems that the authorities are hand-in-glove with these elements as no action is being taken against them,” the locals alleged.
“Illegal extraction is going on 24×7 and the noise of tippers, tractors and other machines used for extraction are not letting us to sleep,” they added.
Locals from Urpora Newa area said that illegal extraction is going on in the area from the last two months but no official even bothers to visit the area and stop the illegal extraction.
They said that they have contacted higher ups several times but it seems they are hand in glove with extractors.
“That is why they are not taking any action against them,” the locals said.
They said concerned department must seek help from revenue department so that concerned patwari, chowkidar or Lumberdar can help in identifying illegal extractors and take action against them.
The residents of Gulzarpora, Renzipora, Panzgam, Wasoora, Jangalnad and other areas have also alleged that illegal extraction of soil is going on unabated in the area.
The locals appealed the concerned department to look into the matter and deal with the offenders strictly.
Meanwhile, District Mineral Officer Pulwama Fayaz, Ahmad when contacted said that illegal extraction is going on during night and we can’t stop it during night without support from the police.
“I have already contacted police and revenue department and sought their cooperation and hopefully in coming days we will jointly raid these areas,” he said.
He assured that he will look into the matter and action will be taken against those who extract mineral illegally.
Jahangeer Ganaie
