Raids conducted at illegal mining sites in Nowshera

NOWSHERA: The Chief Minister's Complaint Cell's Nowshera District Chairperson Hussain Ahmad Khattak on Sunday raided Nandrak and Mian Esakhel areas in Khairabad Zone where illegal mining was allegedly being carried out.

The sources said the raids were conducted on the directives of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to go after those, who were busy in illegal mining that was causing huge losses to the national exchequer.

Additional Station House Officer of Misri Banda, Hanif Ali Khan, Tehsil Councillor Riaz Ali, and Jan Mast accompanied the team that raided the illegal mining sites. The police seized the machinery, which was being used in the illegal mining.

The local people present on the occasion conveyed grievances to the Chief Minister's Complaint Cell head. They said on one hand illegal mining was being done on the poor people lands while on the other it was causing losses not only to them but also the exchequer.

Hussain Ahmad Khattak assured the local population that illegal mining would not be tolerated anywhere in the district. He said those involved in the illegal practice would face a stern action. The Chief Minister's Complaint Cell chief said the bid for mining at Nandrak and Mian Esakhel was put at Rs230 million but later the bidders escaped. But the mining for Dwazgai in Nizampur was allowed for only Rs25 million. He said an official was later transferred to Peshawar over the issue.

Hussain Ahmad Khattak said action against illegal mining would continue in future. He said cases would be registered against those found involved the unlawful act. "Nowshera Deputy Commissioner Khwaja Muhammad Sikandar Zeeshan has launched a crackdown against the illegal mining throughout the district under instructions from the provincial government. Two assistant commissioners have registered cases against illegal miners," he added.