Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh ordered a major crack down against the mining mafia active in the state. It’s came after a bid on the life of the Nalagarh SDM, Yunus, who were tried to killed by tractor-trolley. Singh extended full government support to IAS officer.
The police had booked Makhan Singh, driver of tractor-trolley, under section 307 IPC (attempt to murder) after registering an FIR against him. A local court had already remanded him to police custody for five days.
Initially, the police had booked Makhan Singh only under Section 353 IPC (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), but later sections 307 and 279 (rash driving) and 336 (endangering personal safety of others) were added.
Government mulling to take strong action against mining mafia and to draw up a strategy to crack down against them Director Industries Mohan Chauhan hold a meeting with the mining officer, local SP and revenue officials, including tehsildar. It’s learned that a committee would be set up under the SDM with officials from all departments including PWD, mining, forest, police and revenue to check all escape routes on state’s borders with Haryana and Punjab as most of the mining and smuggling of sand and gravel were being done along the borders.
As per report, there are 5000 to 6000 tractors engaged in carrying of sand and gravel and the mining staff would undertake immediate inspections of all 30 to 32 stone crushers in the area and make inventory of the stock with them.
