SAD chief alleges illegal sand mining at Punjab's Mukerian

Chandigarh

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday alleged illegal sand mining at Hoshiarpur's Mukerian, drawing a reaction from state minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria who dubbed the allegations as a desperate bid to regain lost political ground.

Badal made allegations during a "surprise" visit to mining sites and told reporters that the nexus between some officials and Congress leaders was responsible for the illegal mining.

Badal asked Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Mining Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria to disclose the rules that permitted excavations up to 200 feet to extract sand, adding that land along several villages in the constituency has been "ravaged" by the mafia in active connivance with police and officials.

While walking around Dhamian, Sandhwal and Bringali villages, the former state deputy chief minister alleged that the sand mafia dug up trenches to restrict the movement of vehicles.

"Such kind of tactics cannot stop the SAD from exposing them," said Sukhbir.