Administrative 'apathy' fuels villagers' fury against illegal mining

Tension continues to simmer in Gaunsgarh village of Ludhiana district, where residents, farmer unions, and political leaders have been staging a protest for the past two months against alleged illegal sand mining and administrative apathy.

- Sukhpreet Singh

LUDHIANA:

Despite repeated complaints, villagers claim that no action has been taken against those involved, and instead, locals raising their voice have faced police intimidation and violence from the mining mafia.

The protest, which has intensified over the past one month, includes residents from around 10 to 12 villages, supported by farmer unions, including the Rajewal (Lakhowal) and Charuni groups. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ahbab Grewal has also joined the agitation, demanding immediate suspension of mining operations and legal action against the accused.

Villagers are alleging that illegal mining is being carried out at night in several areas, including the government-approved Rorh Cluster site near Raur village. According to them, while the site has official clearance, much of the sand extraction is taking place outside designated zones.