After Punjab Chief Minister spotted illegal mining activity being carried out on the Sutlej river bed while flying over the area, Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered for a massive crackdown against the activity in Nawanshahr and Jalandhar districts.

The CM immediately ordered a thorough probe and seizure of the equipment which he saw from the air to be engaged in what clearly appeared to be illegal mining in the region, according to an official spokesperson.

Acting quickly on the CM’s orders, the Nawanshahr district and police administration seized 13 Porklanes, 4 JCBs along with two Forklifts and 30 Tippers (Trucks) from village Malikpur.

Amarinder was flying to Kartarpur to dedicate to the nation the second phase of the Jang-e-Memorial monument when he spotted the blatantly illegal activity, largely in the Rahon area of Nawanshahr and also in Phillaur (Jalandhar).

Highly perturbed at the shocking sight, Amarinder immediately asked the helicopter pilot to fly lower and take a sortie around the river banks. With the sortie confirming his suspicions, the CM wasted no time in ordering an urgent and thorough probe into the matter, an official spokesperson disclosed.

Amarinder also promptly issued directions to the deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police of the concerned districts to crack down on the activity and seize the equipment, said the spokesperson.

He further ordered that a detailed investigation be carried out to fix responsibility, followed by stern action against those found guilty.

Taking serious note of the activity, which was brazenly taking place despite the firm steps being taken by the state government to check illegal mining in the state, the CM said no laxity or complicity in the matter would be tolerated.

Amarinder also reiterated his earlier directives to the director general of police (DGP) to send a strong message down the ranks to ensure a complete stop to all illegal mining across the state.

He instructed the DGP to expedite the formulation of a comprehensive strategy, in coordination with the mining department and the district administrations across the state, to curb the illegal activity.

The CM said non-compliance or further delay in this regard would not be tolerated.