TRCC condemns report that cites 'no illegal sand mining' in Thoubal river
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, January 21 2020: The Thoubal River Conservation Committee (TRCC), which has been spearheading campaigns to save the Thoubal river from illegal sand mining, has condemned an alleged report of the Thoubal Deputy Commissioner which cited 'no illegal activities' in the river bed.

Alleging that the report has "conveniently ignored" the various findings which showed illegal sand mining is still practised in the river bed, TRCC in a statement said that it will provide video footage and photographs that contradicts the report to the Court.

Inspection to prepare the report, following a directive of the High Court, was carried at different sites by officials representing Deputy Commissioner, district police, forest officials and two amici curiae on December 11 last year.

The inspection team had found many evidence that point to illegal sand mining being conducted in the river bed.

They found tracks of heavy machinery, trucks in the river bed, fresh mounts of sand, buckets used in digging up the sand and many other such evidence, said the TRCC claiming that it has video footage and photographs to back its claim.

No person was found mining the river sand on the day as the plan to conduct the inspection was known to all, said TRCC claiming that the inspection would have been effective if it was planned and conducted in secrecy.

Even if the team didn't find any river sand miner that day, the evidence on the sites were enough to prove that illegal sand mining using heavy machinery is still active, said TRCC denouncing the report that cites 'no illegal sand mining activity' in the river bed.

Emphasising that the river ecosystem is fragile and may deteriorate further beyond repair if such report is not fair, TRCC said it condemns the report and DC/officials for their lack of interest.

TRCC with the help of the amici curiae will show the proof of the illegal sand mining still active in the river to the Court, it said vowing to save the river system.

Amicus curiae/ amici curiae: impartial adviser(s) to a Court of law in a particular case.

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