Jammu, Feb 27: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), in a decisive move to protect the region’s environment and combat corruption, launched sweeping Joint Surprise Checks (JSCs) targetting illegal mining operations across the Udhampur and Reasi districts of Jammu region.
The operation, according to ACB spokesperson, was initiated following serious complaints of widespread illegal mineral extraction across the Jammu division.
“Preliminary reports indicated a suspected nexus between mineral bidders and certain officials within the Mining and Ecological departments, allowing these activities to operate unchecked,” ACB spokesperson said.
To immediately halt the illegal extraction and misuse of natural resources, specialized ACB teams, spearheaded by gazetted officers, executed coordinated, surprise inspections at multiple stone crushing facilities throughout both districts.
Spelling out key findings from the operation, the spokesperson stated ACB sleuths conducted extensive searches, confiscating crucial electronic gadgets, critical records, and highly incriminating documents. Multiple allegedly forged Form-A transit documents, according to the spokesperson, were recovered directly from the operational sites.
“All inspected stone crushers were found to be actively indulging in illegal mining. Facilities were operating in grave violation of their mandated terms and conditions, causing irreversible ecological degradation to the region,” the spokesperson said, adding that the ACB remained steadfast in its commitment to dismantling corrupt networks and halting the exploitation of Jammu’s natural resources.
“Further investigations based on the recovered evidence are actively underway,” ACB spokesperson said.
