JAMMU, May 27: In Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against illegal mining across the river Ravi under the jurisdiction of State and seeking closure of 13 illegal stone crushers operating from Lakha

Solan, May 26: In a bid to rein in mining mafia operative in the industrial belts of various bordering areas, the state government will soon prohibit vehicles carrying quarry material from leaving

Units ordered to close many times, but reopened soon after

It is now the seventh year of protest. But, for the residents of Kenchanakuppe, Dasappana Doddi, Kallagopahalli and Thammanadoddi coming under Kenchanakuppe Gram Panchayat, next to Bidadi, the struggle to get the stone quarrying and crushing units closed continues. About 70 stone crushing units dot these areas and licences for these were cancelled in 2007 and 2009, but the activities in some units continue relentlessly.

Despite Supreme Court's orders, illegal mining still continues to persist in Alwar. On Wednesday morning, 45 dumpers used for illegal mining were seized during a joint crack down illegal mining by teams of district police and RTO. While the dumper drivers managed to flee, the police managed to arrest one person.

Like the granite quarry probe, the district administration would carry out investigation into irregularities reported in sand and stone quarrying.

Announcing this at a monthly farmers’ grievance meeting here on Friday, Collector Anshul Mishra said that farmers and others, who had specific knowledge of the malpractices, can submit petitions.

JAIPUR: A forest guard was killed by a few villagers in Bundi's Dabi forest area after Wednesday midnight while he was trying to stop a tractor carrying illegally mined stones.

JOWAI: The District Magistrate, West Jaintia Hills, has prohibited the removal and collection of sand, stones and other illegal activities from the riverbed and river bank of river Myntdu. The order was imposed following collection of stones, sand etc. from the river without permission of the authorities by some private parties.

“The illegal activities of such private parties have badly affected the ecological system and environment of the area,” the prohibitory order stated while adding that order shall remain in force until further orders.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is again in the midst of a controversy involving his family members.

PONDA: Residents of Keri-Ponda are on a chain hunger strike to oppose the deputy collector’s order granting permission to lift mined stones from a quarry at Amadi-Keri.

Opposing the order, several villagers including women on Tuesday decided to block transportation of the mined stones. It may be recalled that the villagers have been opposing the stone quarry and crusher operations, on grounds that the project is illegal. The villagers claimed that the stone crusher was illegally operated in private property without the consent of the property owner and the stone quarry has caused irreparable damage to the environment.