Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chaudhary has stopped a Pathankot operator from digging sand near the Ravi River. The operator allegedly had backing from a local ruling party leader. Illegal mining is being blamed for recent floods in the state.
The AAP leader and miners planned excavation within 5 km of the International Border, where mining is banned. Mining is also prohibited until September 30 each year due to the rainy season. MLA Chaudhary asked authorities to send a technical team before allowing mining, warning that floods could happen again.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said mining is a major cause of floods. Shamsher Singh, Dinanagar AAP halqa in-charge, toured the area and circulated videos, which villagers saw as support for mining. Former sarpanch Ajay Pal Singh said mining would disrupt Ravi’s flow and flood nearby villages.
Shamsher Singh denied facilitating mining, saying he visited to check government work on silt removal. After learning about the plan, MLA Chaudhary alerted officials. SDM Jaspinder Singh confirmed the activity is stopped, awaiting further orders.
MLA Chaudhary insists that only a technical team should approve mining near Ravi to prevent future floods.
