SHOPIAN: Acting on specific inputs regarding illegal mining on the intervening night of July, 31 and August, 01, night patrolling was conducted at multiple locations across Shopian district in order to deter the illegal miners from looting public resources of minor minerals.

The drive was led by Deputy Commissioner, Shishir Gupta, who personally visited several vulnerable spots during the night.

Patrolling was carried out by Executive Magistrates along with Police, and nakas were established in all tehsils by the concerned Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars at locations where illegal mining had been reported.

Today, continuing the endeavour of stopping illegal mining and also enforcing compliance to traffic rules, enforcement drives were undertaken by MVD and Traffic police.

During the nakas, 04 vehicles were seized for extraction and transportation of minor minerals illegally among others. 02 School buses were also seized for violations of non availability of vehicle documents.

Besides, daily enforcement teams of the mining department are in place to enforce the seizure of vehicles involved in illegal mining activities including JCBs, tippers,and tractors. The illegal miners are being penalized as per the rules in vogue and are being counselled to desist from extracting minor minerals.