Bandipora, July 8, KNT: In a midnight operation, a joint team of the Geology and Mining Department and Bandipora police faced stiff resistance from the mining mafia in Lawarpora area, where four tractors loaded with illegally extracted minerals were intercepted. Despite public backlash and mafia interference, two of the seized tractors were successfully transported to the police station with the help of law enforcement.
Official sources said that the surprise night raid was conducted in Lawarpora, an area known for rampant illegal mining activities. The team, led by the District Mineral Officer (DMO) Bandipora, Mumtaz Ahmad, was suddenly confronted by local elements believed to be linked with the mining mafia. Amid the chaos, the miscreants forcibly took control of two of the four seized tractors.
“It was a tense situation. The mob resisted fiercely and tried to prevent us from performing our official duty,” said an official who was part of the raiding team. “We were literally encircled, and the mafia took away two of the tractors we had just seized.”
Thanks to the timely intervention of the police, led by DSP Lateef Ahmad, the safety of the government officials was ensured, and two of the seized tractors were successfully shifted to Bandipora Police Station.
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DMO Mumtaz Ahmad confirmed the incident and expressed deep gratitude to the police for their prompt and courageous response. “Had it not been for the timely efforts of DSP Bandipora, the situation could have spiraled out of control. We are thankful to the police for safeguarding our team and standing firm against the mafia,” he told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
He further acknowledged the presence of a well-organized mining mafia in Lawarpora and surrounding areas but vowed to continue the crackdown with even greater resolve. “We will not be cowed down by threats or resistance. The illegal extraction of minerals is looting the natural wealth of Kashmir, and we will take this fight to its logical conclusion,” the DMO said.
Local sources said the illegal mining activities have been thriving due to the involvement of certain politically influential elements and a lack of awareness among the public.
The police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated an inquiry into the public obstruction and recovery of the missing tractors. [KNT]
