JAMMU: During a late-night operation against violators of the MM(DR) Act 1957, Dr. Gulshan Kumar, District Mining Officer Jammu, along with his team, seized seven vehicles from different parts of the district. The vehicles were involved in the illegal transportation of minerals extracted from areas outside the minor mineral blocks.
Two vehicles were confiscated from the Ganeshu Chack and Surya Chack areas and were subsequently handed over to the in-charge of the Police Chowki Phallian Mandal for safekeeping. Another vehicle seized from the Chatha Lalyal area was entrusted to SHO Miran Sahib for safe custody.
Additionally, two dumpers engaged in transporting illegally extracted ordinary earth from the Kheri area were seized and handed over to the SHO of the Gharota Police Station. Furthermore, two dumpers discovered in the Kanger Bhalwal Ring road areas were also seized and entrusted to the SHO of the Gharota Police Station for secure storage.
All these vehicles will only be released after the realization of penalties for violations of the MM(RD) Act 1957 and its associated rules. Of the seven seized vehicles, three were apprehended for transporting sand illegally, while the other four were involved in the unlawful transportation of ordinary earth.
DMO emphasized that such operations will continue in the future, as the administration is committed to eradicating illegal mining within the district. He advised all concerned parties to procure minerals from legitimate sources and transport them with valid e-Challan (Form A) generated from the departmental portal. Strict instructions were also issued to all individuals engaged in mining activities, cautioning against any illegal extraction or transportation of minerals, with strict actions awaiting defaulters.
This operation was executed under the directives of the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, who has already mandated stringent action against illegal mining activities and the imposition of heavy penalties on violators within district Jammu. The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner (L&O), Harvinder Singh.