3 min readLudhianaDec 2, 2010 03:54 AM IST
First published on: Dec 2, 2010 at 03:54 AM IST
Illegal mining of sand from the Sutlej river continues despite the ban and the environmental hazards involved. SDM (West) Prem Chand today caught three drivers red handed,along with three trolleys of sand when he went for a routine inspection of the Sutlej banks towards Kherabet.
The matter became more complicated when the drivers openly mentioned that they were carrying out this ‘illegal’ mining for Congress leader Gurmail Singh Pehlwaan. Although the drivers were booked and the vehicles impounded in Ladhowal police station,the incident has once again opened loopholes of politicians being involved with the sand mafia.
The drivers who were caught were Shingara Singh,Gurcharan Singh and Gurmeet Singh. One vehicle was released after the driver deposited the requisite fine to the mining department while two are still in police custody.
SDM Prem Chand said,“When I started questioning the drivers,they told me that they work for Hambaran-based Gurmail Singh Pehlwaan. In addition to this,they also showed me a receipt signed by mining officers which was found to be ‘fake’. The drivers also said that they had no idea whether the work was legal or illegal. They were paid Rs 250 per day by their owner.”
When a Newsline team contacted Pehlwaan,he categorically denied his involvement. “My name is being involved by SAD ministers. In fact,they are involved in this ‘illegal trade and they have taught their drivers to lie whenever they are caught. I am busy at with a wedding at Patiala; how can I run trolleys of sand today?” he asked.
“If the SDM has found anything illegal,he is free to take action. Even the mining department should do whatever it wants to do. So this gives enough proof that I am not at all involved in this business,” he added.
Jatinderjit Singh,SHO of Ladhowal police station,said,“We have impounded the vehicles of sand and they were without any documents. The vehicles were without numbers. The mining department has also issued challans. The drivers have been set free. As per law,we can only impound the vehicles along with the goods.”
It needs to be mentioned that the mining department had auctioned the mining sites in August in which specific sites were mentioned for mining of sand. Hence,any other site is termed as illegal.
Pehlwaan was a prominent BSP leader and contested the Vidhan Sabha elections from Ludhiana rural constituency in the year 2007. In year 2009 he joined the Congress and is now a strong contender for the Congress ticket for the coming Punjab elections.
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