At least seven persons have been arrested and equipment used for illegal mining has been seized in Pathankot district, mining and geology minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra said on Monday.
The minister said an operation against the illegal mining led to the arrests in connection with two separate cases and confiscation of four tippers loaded with raw material for crushing, a JCB machine and a tractor-trolley. He said that the mining and geology department then asked the police to register an FIR in the matter.
Jauramajra said that two FIRs have been registered under relevant sections of the Mining and Minerals Act, and section 379 (punishment for theft) of the Indian Penal Code at the Mamun and the Nangal Bhoor police stations.
“The department has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining, and such operations will continue at a rapid pace in the coming days. Persons engaged in illegal mining will not be spared,” he added.