Toexpose illegal mining taking place with impunity in Beas, Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) President Sukhbir Badal today along with his party workers andjournalists conducted live raids at the mining sites and accused the Congressleaders for the devastation caused by the sand mafias on the Beas River bed.
Sukhbiralleged that Congress leaders are hand in gloves with these sand mafias andthat is why the state government has turned a blind eye to these illegalactivities, saying it has the ‘blessings of the power’.
Themoment Sukhbir Badal and his party workers reached the spot, the tipper driversand JCB machines engaged in illegal mining fled with their belongings.
Addressingthe media, he said, “Call the district SSP now and show him the illegal miningon the spot. Despite tall claims by the CM that there will be zero tolerance toillegal mining, the practice continues unabated. Captain Amarinder has failedto protect the mineral wealth of the state”.
Hefurther said, “The Congress has accused the Akali Dal of inciting the sandmafia. Now the Akali Dal had reached out to Captain Raj to expose illegalmining in the state. Punjab CM boost of having conducted major raids andcrackdown on sand mafias, however, its ministers and MLAs are themselves involvedin such practices”, he alleged.
He even tweeted, "Sandmafia has overtaken the State. Witnessed illegal mining first hand near Beasbridge which threatens the lifeline of Majha besides eroding river banks &destroying farmer fields. @capt_amarinder has given an open license to mafia& Cong MLAs to loot Pb to save his chair".
Hesaid that the arable land in and around the areas along the River Beas had beendestroyed by the active sand mafia in the state, and thousands of acres of landin more than five dozen villages had been dug up 100 to 150 feet deep.
"Villagerssay police come every day but to collect bribes from mafia elements. Right from Punjab CM to Sukh Sarkaria as well as local DC & SSP should tellPunjabis why they are allowing this brazen loot. SAD demands arrest of mafiakingpins Ashok Chandak & Rakesh Chaudhary", he added.