Illegal sand mining thrives in Sopur

FROM OUR correspondent

DIMORIA, April 27: Despite a ban on removing sand from riverbeds and small sand dunes, illegal mining of sand at Kamalajari in Sopur on the city outskirts has been going on a large scale.

State Forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma had recently ordered the Forest department to take steps to stop sand mining going on in the area.

It may be mentioned that Kamalajar area is just a few kilometers from the Sopur Range forest office.

Locals alleged that a section of forest officials also involved in the mining.  

Number of trucks illegally excavate sand in the area daily.

Though no company or individual has got permit for removing sand from the area, the practice continues ubated in the absence of strict monitoring, sources said.

Hundreds of trucks, carrying sand, can be seen plying daily, sources said.

According to sources, a well-organized sand mafia has been indulging in this lucrative business.  Residents of nearby villages said that mining of sand is common in the area. According to them, a few villagers had even complained with the local administration in this regard, but no action has been taken so far.