- I&FC Deptt accuse police of inaction
SRINAGAR: Irrigation and Flood Control Division Srinagar Thursday accused police of inaction against the sand mafia who according to the department has been extracting sand and soil illegally from LP Bund of River Jehlum from Malroo to Khajabagh and Panzinara. Assistant Executive Engineer I&FC Sub Division Eidgah had in a written complaint to police station Parimpora on October 27 last month had sought lodgment of FIR against the identified culprits who according to the official are extracting the sand/earth illegally from LP Bund of River Jehlum, resulting in the loss of Government property as well as damages to the bund from Malroo to Khajabagh and Panzinara (Rd 82.500 km to Rd 93 kms) during night hours taking advantage of unrest in the Valley.
“In our written complaint to Police Station Parimpora vide number 3209-13) we had provided the names of all but 40 culprits with the registration numbers of their vehicles which they use to ferry illegal material, but no action was initiated against the sand mafia,” an official told news agency CNS adding that the department had even revealed the names of tractor and JCB owners involved in the illegal practice.
In another letter vide reference number I&FC/3076-79, dated 24 October 2016 dispatched to SSP Budgam and Srinagar, Executive Engineer I&FC Division Srinagar had appealed police to initiate action against the miscreants who according to the official were involved in illegal indiscriminate extraction of bed material (sand) in River Jehlum from Summerbugh to Padshahi Bagh.
“The issue requires urgent serious attention as the miscreants have already made embankments breach prone, which if not stopped at once, may prove disastrous during rainy season,” the department had said. “It has been over a month and no action or FIR has been lodged against the culprits. Action against these culprits will be in the interest of people as they could suffer during rainy season,” said the official.
“Please verify the facts from police station Parimpora,” SSP Srinagar Mr Amit Kumar told CNS. An official from Parimpora Police station said that they are verifying the matter after Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and the concerned Department raised the issue with them. “After verifying the matter on ground, formal case will be registered in this regard,” he said.