Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, July 10: In a significant move to combat illegal mining, the District Administration Samba has launched a comprehensive and coordinated effort to curb this menace.
Led by District Magistrate Samba, Abhishek Sharma, the initiative has resulted in creation of a database of defaulters and potential miners first of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir, the same will be shared with police and other enforcement agency for further scrutiny.
Identification of area-wise hotspots and potential illegal miners, intensified raids by Geology and Mining Department resulted in penalising of 50 vehicles and imposition of penalties in last ten days. 6 FIRs were also registered in different police stations in last five months.
In a decisive move to curb illegal mining activities in the district, Deputy Commissioner Samba Abhishek Sharma has announced the initiation of the toughest actions against violators.
The Deputy Commissioner revealed that district administration has adopted zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining and anyone found involved in such activities will be dealt with an iron hand.
The district administration is committed to taking all necessary actions to ensure the protection of our resources, he added.
Moreover, Deputy Commissioner also emphasised on the review of weekly progress of Tehsil level Multi Departmental Task Force cell and monthly review about the achievements and progress made by the Department of Geology and Mining.
Special instructions were passed to all tehsildars and SHOs of area to closely monitor and share action taken report to district level team on daily basis.