Srinagar: Scores of people from South Kashmirs Kulgam district Tuesday staged a protest against the illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from Nallah Vishu here. They alleged that the practice has made the areas adjacent to the Nallah vulnerable to floods.
The locals from Chadir Naidpora Kulgam assembled in Press Enclave and during the protest accused district administration of encouraging the sand mafia. They alleged that despite the J&K government banning illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from streams in the State, the practice is going on unabated in Nallah Vishu. The irony is that district administration is supporting and encouraging the sand mafia. A few days back Tehsildar Qaimou seized a JCB but handed over the keys to the driver merely after half an hour, one of the protesters told CNS.
Carrying placards and banners, the protesters said that despite directions from the government for a complete halt on illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from the stream, the directives have never been implemented. The sand mafia in league with some officials of the district administration has been resorting to illegal practice even in broad day light. You can find the movement of JCBs there and yet the district administration is not acting against them, the protesters said.
When contacted DC Kulgam Syed Abid said they will take legal action against violators. (CNS)
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