To expose illegal mining taking place with impunity in Beas, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal today along with his party workers and journalists conducted live raids at the mining sites and accused the Congress leaders for the devastation caused by the sand mafias on the Beas River bed.
Sukhbir alleged that Congress leaders are hand in gloves with these sand mafias and that is why the state government has turned a blind eye to these illegal activities, saying it has the ‘blessings of the power’.
The moment Sukhbir Badal and his party workers reached the spot, the tipper drivers and JCB machines engaged in illegal mining fled with their belongings.
Addressing the media, he said, “Call the district SSP now and show him the illegal mining on the spot. Despite tall claims by the CM that there will be zero tolerance to illegal mining, the practice continues unabated. Captain Amarinder has failed to protect the mineral wealth of the state”.
He further said, “The Congress has accused the Akali Dal of inciting the sand mafia. Now the Akali Dal had reached out to Captain Raj to expose illegal mining in the state. Punjab CM boost of having conducted major raids and crackdown on sand mafias, however, its ministers and MLAs are themselves involved in such practices”, he alleged.
He even tweeted, "Sand mafia has overtaken the State. Witnessed illegal mining first hand near Beas bridge 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".
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He said that the arable land in and around the areas along the River Beas had been destroyed by the active sand mafia in the state, and thousands of acres of land in more than five dozen villages had been dug up 100 to 150 feet deep.
"Villagers say 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 tell Punjabis why they are allowing this brazen loot. SAD demands arrest of mafia kingpins Ashok Chandak & Rakesh Chaudhary", he added.