Amritsar: A joint team of the mining department and police conducted a late-night raid at an illegal sand mining site in Kot Sidhu village in Lopoke tehsil on Monday. The operation was carried out under the directions of the director, mines and geology department.During the raid, the team found unauthorised excavation of sand actively taking place at the site. However, the machinery operators managed to flee before they could be apprehended.Vishavpal Goyal, the executive engineer (XEN) of the mining department, said that officials identified three JCB machines during the raid. Two of the machines had chassis numbers, while one JCB lacked a chassis number. In addition, seven tipper trucks were identified at the site.He further informed that following the operation, an FIR was registered at Bhindi Saidan police station under Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.The XEN said that the police investigation is underway to identify the landowners and the owners of the tipper trucks and JCB machines involved in the illegal mining activity.The roles of all concerned persons are being investigated, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible, he added.Goyal further said that illegal mining would not be tolerated in the district under any circumstances. Strict action in accordance with the law will continue against those involved in unauthorised mining and excavation activities, he added.
