J&K govt cracks down on illegal sand extraction along Jhelum

In a bid to curb the trend of "unauthorized extraction" of sand by mechanical boats from river Jhelum, J&K government has asked deputy commissioners of Pulwama and Srinagar districts to deploy magistrates in the affected areas.
"Illegal extraction of sand from River Jhelum is done by some miscreants through mechanical boats particularly in the areas like Pampore and Kakapora in Pulwama district and Zoonipora-Nowgam and Pantha Chowk in Srinagar which has endangered the embankments of the water body.
"In view of last year's devastating floods and apprehension of future threats, the Divisional Commissioner Asgar Hassan Samoon directed the line departments and other stakeholders to take immediate measures to prevent such malpractices henceforth," an official spokesman said today.

Samoon gave the direction at a high level meeting convened here yesterday to take stock of the unauthorized extraction of sand along Jhelum.
The meeting was among others attended by Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Javaid Mujtaba Geelani, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Lone, Director Industries and Commerce Kashmir Nazim Khan, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir Javaid Jaffar and senior officers of Geology and Mining department, he said.
The Divisional Commissioner also directed the Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Pulwama to take steps for deployment of Magistrates for prevention of illegal extraction of sand at these places in coordination with respective police authorities.

Samoon also ordered to lodge FIR against illegal sand extractors and seize their mechanical boats so that such activities are prevented to safeguard the embankments of River Jhelum, the spokesman said.
He also impressed upon all the line departments to take immediate preventive measures for such illegal practices so as to protect the soil erosion, bunds and embankments of river Jhelum in future.
Kashmir valley witnessed a giant deluge in September last year after a series of breaches in river Jhelum and other water bodies, resulting in the death of over 280 persons and massive destruction to public and private infrastructure.