KATHUA: A total of 09 vehicles including two heavy excavators were seized by Geology and Mining department during day long inspections at multiple locations here today. The team of mining department led by District Mineral Officer (DMO) Rajinder Singh seized two excavators and two vehicles at Gandial, one at Taraf Tajwal, one Bhagtali and three at Ghatti areas.
The two heavy excavator were seized for illegal mining at Gandial and other 06 vehicles were seized for transporting crushed mineral without valid documents while as one tractor trolley was seized for loading nallah boulders in Ravi near Punjab border.
DMO informed that all the vehicles after seizure were handed over to police and shall remain in their custody till realization of penalty in Directorate office Jammu on the day of appearance mentioned in the seizure memo issued to the violator.
Strict instructions were also issued to the violators for not indulging in illegal mining and they were also advised to lift mineral only from legal source and minor mineral blocks identified by the department.