JAMMU: In an estrange development, the Naib Tehsildar has initiated registration of FIR against the smugglers after they were trapped in flash flood while extracting sand and bajri from Bajalta area of river Tawi during night hours sans fear of law enforcement agencies.
The Bajalta which falls under the jurisdiction of Nagrota police station is notorious for loot of minor minerals worth several crores on large scale.
As per reports on the intervening night of Aug 10 and Aug 11 some smugglers who were engaged in Illegal mining from state land at Sardan Nallah of village Aithem were trapped in flash flood and were later rescued by SDRF team.
Taking cognizance of the offence case FIR No 305/2022 U/S 447/336 IPC was registered in Police Station Nagrota headed by Inspector Vishavpratap Singh.
Pertinent to mentioned here that there are complainants of massive smuggling of minor minerals from Bajalta area where mining mafia comprising local Gujjars entire night engaged in open loot of minor minerals from river Tawi in Bajalta area with impunity.
Even, the track record of seizing of vehicles engaged in illegal extraction of sand and bajri in Bajalta area which falls in Nagrota jurisdiction is negligible, said sources in police.
There are reports that illegal crushers allegedly in connivance with officials are earning crores on monthly basis from illegal mining in Bajalta.