Two vehicles carrying illegally-mined sand seized
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, August 18 2021:
A team of Joint Coordination Committee Wildlife & Biodiversity (JC-CWB), Manipur during its inspection of hill ranges on Tuesday helped Range Forest Office, Thoubal impound two TATA Tipper Trucks (MN 01AA1772 and MN04P 0768) which were found transporting illegally mined sand from Waithou Leepokpi Kachin and Thoubal Moijing in Thoubal district.
According to a report, the team came across the two vehicles transporting sand that was being illegally mined using four excavators (JCB) at Waithou Leepokpi Kachin and Thoubal Moijing and immediately informed Range Forest Office Thoubal.
Although the miners and the JCB operators managed to flee from the area, the two vehicles were handed over to the custody of Range Forest Office, Thoubal.
In this regard, JCCWB urged the forest department and officials concerned to take up the matter officially and make an example that such acts will not be allowed.
It then observed that the department seems to be almost incapable of taking any action against illegal quarrying in the state and as such, urged the CM to look into the matter along with taking up steps to help preserve the environment.