AAP MLA unearths ‘illegal’ mining site in Jagraon

Jagraon: In a high voltage drama, AAP MLA from Jagraon Sarvjit Kaur Manuke raided “an illegal mining site” at Madehpur village, claiming that the illegal act has been going on for the past several months.
Acting on the MLA’s claims, the authorities sent sub-divisional officer (SDO) Mining department to the spot to ascertain whether the mining was taking in an allotted block or not.
Talking to mediapersons at the site, MLA Manuke, accompanied by several villagers, alleged that instead of doing mining in the allotted area at Hujra, the contractor was involved in mining illegally at Khurshaidpur and Madehpur, which is six kms from the allotted area.
She said the contractor is also digging up earth up to 20 feet and that too at a distance of just five metres from the borderline of the river which should ideally be 500 m.
“Now if minor rainfall occurs, 70 to 80 villages might be ruined. I have raised this issue in the assembly twice and even staged a dharna outside. I also met minister Sukh Sarkaria on the issue, but nothing has been done till now. The people also have protested thrice, but no one has listened to them,” the MLA alleged. She further claimed that instead of providing security to people, the Sidhwan Bet SHO is himself involved in illegal mining.
“Now, we are sitting on a protest near the Sutlej near Madehpur. If no action is taken, they (villagers) will block the road. I called up the deputy commissioner and SSP (Ludhiana rural) who have told me they would carry out an inquiry,” Manuke said.
In the video uploaded on AAP’s Punjab account, a few villagers can be seen referring to mining as illegal.
SSP Ludhiana rural Vivek Soni said if the MLA has levelled allegations against the SHO, she should give proof too. “If allegations are proved, strictest action will be taken,” he added. He said though it is not their job, but he has told the SHO to call up the SDO Mining who would verify whether the site was legal or illegal.