Ropar's Mining Problem: Why Are Police Not Filing Charges?

There's something troubling happening along the riverbeds in Punjab's Ropar district. While officials from the Mining Department are conducting risky, late-night raids to crack down on illegal mining, their efforts seem to be hitting a mysterious roadblock. Despite identifying the culprits and filing official complaints, the police response has been puzzlingly slow and, in some cases, non-existent.

Key Highlights

• ✓ On at least three occasions since April, Ropar police have reportedly failed to register complaints or name accused individuals in illegal mining cases.
• ✓ FIRs are often registered against "unknown people," even when the Mining Department provides the names of the accused.
• ✓ Illegal mining continues in Ropar, Anandpur Sahib, and Nangal, particularly at night, despite a complete ban during the monsoon season.
• ✓ Ropar SSP Gulneet Singh Khuranna stated the issue was "not in his notice" but promised to investigate.
• ✓ A senior Mining Department official has hinted at the possible involvement of senior police officials in some cases.

A Pattern of Police Inaction?

Let's get straight to it. According to documents obtained by The Tribune, there have been at least three separate occasions since April where the Ropar police have either failed to register an FIR or have conveniently left out the names of the accused in illegal quarrying cases. This is despite the Mining Department explicitly identifying who was responsible following raids along the Sutlej river.

The frustration from the mining officials is palpable. One senior department official, who chose to remain anonymous, hinted that senior police officials might be involved. He pointed out the immense danger they face, stating, "Despite risking our lives by conducting raids to check illegal mining in the night hours, FIRs were not registered by the police." This isn't just a one-off; it seems to be a recurring theme.

When asked about this, Ropar SSP Gulneet Singh Khuranna claimed the issue was not on his radar. He did assure reporters that he would look into the matter and take appropriate action if anyone was found guilty. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia did not respond to repeated phone calls for a comment on this specific issue, leaving more questions than answers.

A Closer Look at the Incidents

To understand the depth of this issue, you just have to look at the specific cases. On July 13, a team from the Mining Department, led by the Anandpur Sahib SDM, raided the Motia Stone Crusher in Agampur village. Those present at the crusher couldn't produce any documents to prove where their materials came from, a clear red flag. The department promptly filed a complaint, demanding a case be registered under the Mines and Minerals Act of 1957.

And the result? As of late July, no FIR had been registered. The SSP’s explanation was that the complaint was sent back to the Mining Department with "some queries." It’s a delay that feels hard to justify when the evidence seems so clear. This isn't an isolated event. On the very same day, another raid took place in Algran village in Nangal.

💡 What's Interesting: In the Algran village case, the raiding party accused the owners of the Aman Curshing plant of illegal mining and named them in the complaint. The police did register an FIR the next day, but it was against "unknown people."

This pattern of filing charges against "unknown" individuals effectively shields the actual perpetrators. It happened again following an April 30 raid along the Sutlej, led by the Nangal SDM. Illegal mining was detected during the night, but the police took more than a month to register the case on June 4. And once again, the FIR was against unknown people. This echoes a previous report from July 20 that highlighted a similar month-long delay for a case in Bhangla village.

Defying the Monsoon Ban

What makes this all the more brazen is that it's happening during a period when mining is supposed to be completely shut down. The Ropar administration has imposed a total ban on mining during the monsoon season for safety and environmental reasons. Yet, the illegal activity continues unabated in Ropar, Anandpur Sahib, and Nangal subdivisions.

The operations are clandestine, typically carried out under the cover of darkness. Officials say the miners are most active between midnight and 3 am. In some areas, like Talwara village, they’ve even tried to disguise their activities as "desilting" of a local rivulet—something that is also not permitted at night during the monsoon. It's a calculated effort to exploit loopholes and evade law enforcement.

The situation can also turn dangerous. In another incident at Bhangla village, forest officials were reportedly assaulted when they tried to stop illegal mining. Despite a written complaint being submitted to the police, no FIR has been registered in that case either. This lack of consequence only seems to empower those breaking the law.

The Administration's Side of the Story

While the police response has been lackluster, it's fair to say the Ropar administration has been active. Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia, in a separate statement, shared details of a recent 10-day crackdown. His office has been busy conducting checks and seizing equipment. The numbers show a significant effort to curb the problem on the ground.

During that 10-day period, one JCB and two Poclain machines were confiscated in Ropar subdivision, with another two Poclain machines seized in Anandpur Sahib. Officials carried out 45 checks in Ropar and 25 in Anandpur Sahib. This resulted in 19 challans being filed in each subdivision, along with 32 recovery notices in Ropar and 54 in Anandpur Sahib. So, action is being taken.

However, here's where we see the disconnect again. Officials involved in these raids said they recommended the registration of 12 FIRs. To date, only five have actually been registered. The reason? The remaining cases are apparently waiting for a nod from the mining officers of the respective areas. According to the rules, this sanction is needed before an FIR can be filed, adding another layer of bureaucracy to an already slow process.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that there's a serious breakdown happening in Ropar. On one hand, you have dedicated officials from the Mining Department and the district administration working to stop illegal quarrying along the Sutlej and Swan rivers. On the other, you have a police force that seems unwilling or unable to follow through with timely and effective legal action. The pattern of delayed FIRs, mysterious "queries," and cases against "unknown" individuals points to a systemic problem that goes beyond simple inefficiency. Until this gap between enforcement and prosecution is closed, it's hard to see how the rampant illegal mining in the region will ever be truly stopped.