WARIS FAYAZ
Sopore, Feb 22 : The residents of Sopore and adjoining areas in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday raised eyebrows over inaction of district administration against elements involved in illegal sand extraction from Ningli Nallah.
While speaking with Inside Kashmir Correspondent, locals of Sopore area expressed strong resentment over continuous extraction of sand from Nallah Ningli at various locations include Tarzoo, Amberpora and Panjipora by miscreants and appealed district administration to look into the matter and bring the involved to the task.
They said the illegal extraction of sand from the said Nallah is going ‘unabated’ and in ‘broad day light’ with the tacit support of officials who failed to take any concrete action so far.
“The concern department is watching the extraction as a mute-spectator and watching the vandalism helplessly. The regular extraction (illegally) has caused huge damage to the embankments of the Nallah which poses a serious threat to the nearby areas during rainy situation”, locals told.
They added the continuous extraction has not only weakened embankments but hundreds of trees have got dried due to inadequate water in the Nallah.
A local resident said that we fail to understand why authorities are shying to curb this illegal trade in the area. He said the illegal extraction is mostly being carried out during early hours but from couple of months it is going unabated during broad day light.
Locals of the area alleged hand in glove of the department with mafia and said the area has started to suffer water paucity.
They however appealed the district administration to rein the elements involved in illegal extraction of sand from Ningli Nallah.
Meanwhile Station House Officer (SHO) Police Station Tarzoo told, action will be taken against those who found involved and illegal trade of sand will be put to an end.
Matter has been taken with the concerned department, and further necessary action would be taken, he added.
