SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Police has launched a statewide crackdown against the notorious mining mafias.

The year-long operation in  2022 and 2023, has seen  over staggering 11,046 illegal mining challans issued, delivering blow to the underworld mining networks.

During 2022, the Police dealt a massive blow to illegal mining by issuing 6,986 challans, out of which 5,998 were met with swift justice and fines, amounting to an astounding Rs. 3. 61 Crore  were extracted from the violators.

Adding to their misery, 688 challans were sent to the courts, leading to fines totaling Rs. 25.76 Lakh by the courts.

The crackdown didn't stop there. Over 39 cases were also registered against the violators under the Mining Act, and the Police seized 716 vehicles involved in the illicit trade.

Undeterred by the mining mafias' attempts to regroup, the Himachal Pradesh Police continued its assault on illegal mining in 2023, recording an additional 4,360 challans till 31st July.

But 3,506 challans were compounded by the Police, and the violators were forced to cough up Rs. 2.71 Crore in fines.

The remaining 854 challans were sent to the courts, where strict punishments resulted in fines amounting to Rs. 6 lakh 38 thousand being imposed.

The war on the mining mafias need more punch in view of the recent floods.  The police registered 29 fresh cases under the Mining Act.

Adding to their woes, 1,234 vehicles engaged in illegal mining were confiscated by the police, further crippling their operations.

District-wise details reveal the extent of the Police's iron-fisted resolve.

The state police's unwavering commitment to the "zero tolerance policy against the mining mafia" sends a chilling message to those who dare to flout the law.

But the assault didn't stop at fines and seizures alone.

The Police has dealt a blow by referring seven cases of mining mafia to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), with assets worth a staggering Rs. 11.05 Crores implicated, signaling that the net is closing in on the big players who sought to exploit the state's resources with impunity.

The  mining mafias' empire seems crumbling.  But much will depend on how long the HP police sustains its crackdown  to bring  illegal mining to an end.