Crackdown on illegal mining enters Day 3 in Jammu region, critical records seized

Jammu, Feb 27 (PTI) The Anti-Corruption Bureau on Friday continued its crackdown on illegal mining in Reasi and Udhampur districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and seized electronic gadgets, critical records, and incriminating documents, officials said.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday launched surprise checks across multiple districts of Jammu Division following complaints of widespread illegal mining activities allegedly being carried out by mining block holders in connivance with certain officials of the mining and ecology departments.

"In a decisive move to protect the region’s environment and combat corruption, the ACB has launched sweeping joint surprise checks targeting illegal mining operations across Udhampur and Reasi districts," an ACB spokesman said.

Preliminary reports indicated a suspected nexus between mineral bidders and certain officials within the mining and ecology departments, allowing these activities to operate unchecked, he said.

To halt illegal extraction and misuse of natural resources, specialised ACB teams led by gazetted officers executed coordinated surprise inspections at multiple stone-crushing facilities in both districts, the spokesman said.

On seizure of evidence, he said the ACB confiscated electronic gadgets, critical records, and incriminating documents during the operation.

The spokesman said multiple forged Form-A transit documents were recovered from the operational sites.

On environmental violations, he said the inspected stone crushers were found to be actively indulging in illegal mining.

"Facilities were found operating in grave violation of their mandated terms and conditions, causing irreversible ecological degradation to the region," the spokesman said. PTI AB ARI