Residents protest illegal mining in Oghi

MANSEHRA: The residents on Tuesday took to the streets against illegal mining in the Jaga Bala area of Oghi Tehsil of Mansehra district.

“Though police have halted work on illegal mining following our protest, all such excavations taking place illegally in the area should remain suspended until ownership of mines is determined by the relevant public departments,” Zarbad Shah, the former nazim, told protesters assembled in the Jaga area.

Holding banners and placards, the protesters demanded a police operation against the illegal mining in the area which they said deprived locals of royalty and employment.

“Our area is rich in treasures of granite and other precious minerals but locals have been deprived of its royalty and employment opportunities since long,” Zarbada Shah said.

He said that illegal excavations were underway unabatedly on reserved and Guzara forests and lands owned by locals and such unlawful practice should come to an end immediately and those responsible for it should be taken to justice.

“Such illegal mining could triage a law and order situation and Police, Revenue and Mineral Department officials should determine ownership of lands from where these treasures are being excavated on a large scale,” he added.

The former nazim said that in some cases some people had acquired a specific piece of land to dig out granite but they widened, extracting minerals from neighbouring localities illegally.

Meanwhile, a police party, which rushed to the scene following the protest, suspended the excavations.

The police team said excavations of granite and other minerals would remain suspended in the area until a joint team of police, Revenue and Mineral Department would determine the rightful owners of mines/ lands.