Karyakhaas of a Police officer as well as one retired IGP are hand in gloves with mining mafia in Phalianmandal area of Satwari Police Station jurisdiction.
ARFAT KHAN
JAMMU: Claims of “crackdown” against sand mafia apparently fails to yield desired results as loot of ‘Grey Gold’ in River Tawi is still going on fearlessly despite blanket ban imposed by Jammu & Kashmir High Court in Nov, 2016.
Reports pouring in from Phalianmandal area points to large scale illegal extraction of minor minerals from beds of River Tawi and the pivotol of this big nexus is alleged to be revolve around one ‘Karyakhaas’ of a senior police officer, reveals our reliable sources.
Interestingly, the name of one retired IGP who owns a big chunk of land in close vicinity of River Tawi also doing the rounds for rubbing shoulders with a group of local mining mafia who is well versed with tactics of ‘Grey Gold’ loot in Phalianmandal area.
Locals of the area alleged in collaboration with some officials of police department illegal mining is still happening entire night in River Tawi in Phalianmandal under the jurisdiction of Satwari Police Station.
Sharing videos of JCB, dumpers and tractor trollies involved in illegal mining in Phalianmandal, Sarpanch of Satwari Panchayat Balwinder Singh said” There is no doubt that police have seized vehicles involved in illegal mining. But, the irony of the fact, is that, it’s still flourishing at alarming speed in the same area by the same mafia.
On average 300 vehicles on daily basis used to transport illegally extracted minors minerals from Phalianmandal by means of which amount ranging from Rs 1.5 crore to 2 crore generated on monthly basis. Later it got divided among the beneficiaries involved in this illegal bussiness-says Balwinder, Sarpanch.
To ascertain, the truth about video and allegations of Balwinder Singh, the JK Global News team poked deep into the issue and came across startling revelations about sand mafia and their pattern of illegal mining in Phalianmandal.
JKGN investigation reveals that there is a syndicate of five locals who controlled bussiness of illegal mining worth crores in and around River Tawi in Phalianmandal.
Hailing from Raipur Satwari, one Khan who once used to work as a mechanic and repair tractors near 4th River Tawi bride today operate at much bigger scale in vicinity of 4th Tawi Bridge and holds grit in the area.
“His fortune took U turn in life when a decades ago, he came in contact with one police officer who later retired as IGP in police” said a local of the Belicharana and posted in CID wing of J&K Police.
He extract minor minerals from River Tawi and then dump the same at a place which is owned by one retired IGP, revealed sources. Khan works at bigger level with retailers and today he owned 5 dumpers, 3 JCB and three mop machine worth 55 lakhs each.
There is one Ankush of Nowshera, who owns one phokland machine and also used to operate in the Phalianmandal in similar manner.
Illegal mining of stone and gravels is allegedly managed by one Pawan of Chatta, who is known for enjoying close proximity with a few officials posted in Chatta Police Post, alleged Balwinder Singh.
While interacting with locals of the area where the mining mafia openly involves in plunder of mineral minerals, the allegations came flying thick and fast against some police officers and officials.
Interestingly, the police post incharge of Chatta Rakesh Roshan despite being promoted to the rank of Inspector 6 months ago and alloted CID wing, still he has not been releaved from the said post. He was posted in Police Post 2 and half years ago, said one local preferring anonymity.
Not only this, even one ASI Romesh Kumar is also enjoying a long tenure of more then 7 years and there are allegations that sand mafia enjoys close proximity with him. Influence of ASI Romesh Kumar can be gauged from the fact that he was not transferred even after promoted to the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector, said an insider of Satwari Police Station.
In addition, a known criminal @ Sethi who is facing two murder charges and resides in Simbal Camp and one Anil of Khandwal Panchayat operate in River Tawi near Lallyal area and only extract sand and charge Rs 800 per tractor trolley.
These five persons in connivance with one police constable who claim himself to be Karyakhaas of a senior police officer, command entire bussiness of illegal mining from River Tawi in Phalianmandal area without fear of any enforcement agency.
The police, administration, CID and officers of Geology and Mining Department are fully aware about working pattern of these local sand mafia but preferred to remain complacent with seizure of two to three trollies on token basis, said reliable sources in Police Department.
It’s worthwhile to mention here that expressing it’s annoyance over failure of Police and the Geology and Mining Department to check illegal mining of minor minerals from River Tawi despite blanket ban, a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey in Feb,2021 has issued directions for mentioning names of involved officials of any department in the FIRs so that investigation may also be conducted with regard to their role in this nexus.
Moreover, the Division Bench, while modifying its earlier order, has authorized the Magistrates to release the vehicles seized on the ground of illegal and unauthorized mining and fixed Rs 50,000 as fine for first time violation, Rs 1 lakh for second time violation and confiscation of vehicle till completion of investigation pursuant to the FIR or the proceedings on the complaint.
The DB of HC also directed the Division Commissioner, Jammu to keep apprise court in tabular form the details of vehicles seized and released.
Illegal mining in River Tawi is no more a secret and everyone in Police and administration aware from where and when these mafia operate in River Tawi, said a local of Phalianmandal.
There is virtually a Mandi of sand exist in Phalianmandal area from where the entire night dumper and trollies loaded with minor minerals keep ferrying till early morning. Some are shown seized, while majority were left to move on their pre decided destination in the Jammu city, asserted a police officer, preferring anonymity.
With naked eye tractor trollies and JCB machines can be seen moving with advent of dark towards their destination in Phalianmandal, Belicharana, Nikki Tawi River and Bajalta to dig out minor minerals, said Saprpanch Balwinder Singh.
Entire night with loud commotion, the mafia plunder the river beds of Tawi and with arrival of first rays of sun disappear with impunity, he added.
He blamed the officers of Geology and Mining Department as well some police officers for this mess which turned out to be green pasture for everyone involved in it.
Talking to JK Global News, SP South, Deepak Digra said” Police is doing its job and vehicles including JCB are being seized on regular basis”.The area around Tawi River spread in several miles with multiple tracks createf by locals which conveniently used by these sand smugglers, Digra said, adding “We are on job and those bragging of proximity with police are under scanner and soon they will face the music”
JKGN View Point: The JKP is one of the finest police organisation in the country which have reputation of breaking the backbone of militancy in geographical complex J&K UT against prevailing odds. Deserves kudos for this daring task. The entire operation of illegal mining in River Tawi from Bajalta to Phalianmandal, Belicharana and Nikki Tawi is a Gold Mine which is managed by local petty history sheeters and criminals. If a Fish Tikka Rehri can’t exist on roadside without consent of SHO, then it’s impossible for these criminals to operate illegal mining on such a large scale with impunity. For JKP which have undergone a massive updation in terms infrastructure and modern gadgets-Nothing is Impossible. Indeed, the black sheeps needs to be identified and a fool proof strategy is the only anecdote for this prolong disease. Director, Geology and mining Mr.O.P.Bhagat also needs to gird up the loins and after desired reshuffling, now plug the holes left in abundant by predecessors in corruption ridden, complicated and now RICH department.
(To Be Continued)