Mining mafias of Haryana and Punjab pose threat to region’s ecology
Despite Haryana government stepping up its drive against illegal mining, the mining mafia continues to thrive in the state. On the other hand, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s professed resolve to free the state from the menace seems easier said than done, writes Rajendra Khatry
The mining mafias across the country are known to be deadly. These mafias do not fear the law and are brazen in their nefarious activities. Often under the protection of politicians they have caused extensive and devastating damage to the ecology.
It is a brutal truth that for more than two decades, the brazen illegal and mechanised mining activities across the country have been irreversibly affecting the rivers and river bank communities.
How ruthless and fearless these mafias can be came to light when a Haryana police officer of DSP rank was killed by a mining mafia near Nuh’s Pachgaon in the middle of last year. Taoru DSP Surendra Singh, who was probing illegal mining, died on the spot after being run over by a truck. His body was found in an open dumpster.
The incident took place when Surendra Singh had gone to conduct a raid at Taudu Hill after receiving a tip-off about alleged illegal mining. An eyewitness had reported that the DSP was standing near his official vehicle when he asked the dumper driver, who was allegedly carrying illegal quarrying equipment, to stop. But the driver didn’t stop and crushed the cop under his truck.
The driver escaped from the scene of crime but was later arrested from Rajasthan as the Haryana Police had launched an extensive manhunt to nab him. Haryana home minister Anil Vij had announced Rs 50 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased DSP.
According to reports emanating from various parts of the state, apart from Gurugram, Faridabad, Palwal and Nuh, stone mining is going on unabated in the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh region. In the last three years, the mafia attacked the teams of officers who came to stop illegal mining many times.
From 2019 to 2022, 79 cases of assault on police personnel were registered in which 227 accused were arrested. According to Haryana police reports, as many as 60 police personnel were injured, while DSP Surendra Bishnoi was crushed to death by a dumper in Nuh.
Reacting to such incidents, the opposition has time and again blamed the coalition government, castigating it and questioning the law and order situation in the state. But now Home Minister of Haryana Anil Vij has decided to act tough with mine mafias operating in the state. He told Karnal SP Gangaram Punia to deal strongly with the perpetrators of such crimes.
