Mohali: Illegal mining on a massive scale has been detected in Derabassi, with the mining department and local administration uncovering 23.7 lakh cubic feet of illegally excavated minor minerals across 11 vulnerable locations during a two-month enforcement drive.The crackdown, carried out between July 28 and Sept 30, led to the registration of five FIRs, seizure of heavy earth-moving machinery and recovery of more than Rs 20 lakh as compounding penalties from vehicles allegedly involved in illegal transportation of mined material.The operation covered the Tangri river basin, riverbeds, panchayat land, private land and other vulnerable rural corridors. Multidisciplinary teams conducted inspections at Jaula Kalan, Nimbuan, Bir Dandrala, Ballopur-Dharamgarh Road and several locations along the Tangri riverbed, including Sarangpur, Bijanpur, Mukandpur, Sundran, Badana and Bauda Baudi.Police registered cases at Handesra and Derabassi police stations in connection with alleged illegal excavation from riverbeds and village common land. During raids at Bijanpur and Antala, authorities seized a Poclain excavator, a tipper truck and a JCB machine allegedly being used for illegal mining activities.The administration also cracked down on transportation of illegally mined material, intercepting and challaning eight vehicles under the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013.Officials said enforcement would continue at vulnerable locations, with a focus on curbing illegal excavation, preventing unauthorised transportation of minor minerals and protecting riverbeds and village common land from encroachment and mining activity.
