In a coordinated effort to preserve the ecological sanctity of the Yamuna, Karnal law enforcement successfully intercepted a massive illegal mining operation under the cover of darkness. The raid targeted the riverbed areas where miners have been allegedly operating beyond the permitted legal lease boundaries.
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The Operation: Utilizing private vehicles and avoiding official flashers to maintain the element of surprise, the police team moved in around midnight. The mining mafia, known for deploying “informers” at entry points, was caught off guard, leading to the abandonment of heavy machinery.
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The Seizure: Five Poclain machines, worth crores of rupees, were found actively digging deep pits into the riverbed. Unlike smaller tractors, these machines are used for industrial-scale illegal extraction that severely alters the river’s natural flow and damages embankments.
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Legal Action: The Mines and Geology Department has recommended FIRs under Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Section 379 of the IPC (Theft). In Haryana, vehicles seized for illegal mining are subject to heavy penalties, often reaching lakhs of rupees per machine for release.
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Environmental Impact: Residents of nearby villages like Nalipar have long complained that deep-pit mining by Poclain machines causes the groundwater table to drop and endangers the structural integrity of temporary bridges and irrigation channels.
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Technological Surveillance: Following the raid, the Haryana State Enforcement Bureau reiterated the use of 24-hour WhatsApp helplines and drone surveys to monitor the Yamuna stretch in Karnal, Panipat, and Sonipat.
