S Gopal Puri
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched a scathing attack on the Congress government, accusing it of turning a blind eye to rampant illegal mining in the state.
Jai Ram alleged that the mining mafia was operating brazenly within 500 metres of the Baddi Superintendent of Police (SP) office, highlighting what he called the state’s “open looting of resources”.
“The Chief Minister and his ministers repeatedly claim they will not allow the state’s resources to be plundered. But the reality is that illegal mining is happening in broad daylight, right under the nose of the SP’s office in Baddi,” the BJP leader said in a post on his Facebook page.
Links it with incidents involving a top police officer
Jai Ram also posted a related news clipping of a Hindi daily. He further linked recent incidents involving a top police officer in Baddi to the unchecked activities of mining mafia.
The former CM accused the government of being controlled by these mafias, stating, “It is unfortunate that the government dances to the tunes of the mining mafia. Is this the so-called system change that the Chief Minister talks about on every platform?”
He also criticised the government for targeting journalists reporting on such issues. “To ensure such reports don’t reach the public, the government is filing cases against journalists. The state doesn’t need a system change where the mining mafia wreaks havoc and police officers either collaborate with them or face the government’s wrath,” he said.
SP office may fall victim to illegal mining
Reports from environmental groups and local residents paint a grim picture of the consequences of illegal mining in the Baddi-Nalagarh region.
Green activists have warned that the SP’s office itself could fall victim to mining activities, potentially being swept away by the Balad river’s flow.
Residents have alleged that despite filing complaints with the SP regarding illegal mining in the region, no action had been taken. They highlighted the environmental damage caused by unchecked mining in rivers such as Balad, Ratta and Sarsa.
“Bridges worth crores have been washed away during monsoons due to mining near riverbeds. Several structures built with public funds are also at risk,” they said.
Local activists and residents have alleged that the involvement of politically influential individuals was preventing the police and administrative action against the mining mafia.
