Bilal Bhat
Srinagar 7 March(KNB): Illegal extraction of minor minerals from Shali Ganga Nallah in Budgam’s Lanilab Basant Wooder has blown the lid off another massive mining scandal in Jammu and Kashmir, exposing the deep-rooted nexus between officials and mining mafias.
According to reports reached to news agency Kashmir News Bureau-KNB that the District Mineral Officer (DMO) of Budgam had issued a notice to M/S NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd. for engaging in unauthorized riverbed mining
However, activists and locals have slammed the move as a mere eyewash, demanding strict legal action, including an immediate FIR and a CBI probe.
Official documents reveal that approximately 300 metric tons of ‘Nallah Mukh’ (riverbed material) have been illegally lifted, violating the MM(D&R) Act, 1957, and J&K Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016. The notice, issued by DMO Budgam on March 3, 2025, states that video evidence of the illegal activity went viral on social media on March 2, drawing widespread public anger. Despite this, no immediate FIR or punitive measures have been taken, raising serious concerns about administrative complicity. Fresh pictures and videos show how the NKC is plundering over the riverbed openly in broad day light.
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, a RTI activist, has strongly criticized the authorities, questioning their soft approach toward NKC Projects Pvt. Ltd. despite repeated violations over the years. “If NKC has already looted riverbed material worth ₹300 crore in Sukhnag over the last four years and has now started looting Shali Ganga in the forest area of Raithan, why are officers merely writing letters instead of booking them under an FIR?” Dr. Muzaffar asked, demanding an immediate CBI investigation.
Locals have alleged that DMO Budgam is in nexus with mining mafias and should be immediately removed and attached like the recent government order issued for DMO Udhampur. “Issuing notices is a mockery. NKC has looted Sukhnag for four years while the Geology and Mining Department remained silent. They extracted 200 truckloads of boulders daily. This is a massive economic and environmental loss facilitated by the same department that is now pretending to act. They should be taken to task by the CBI,” Dr. Muzaffar said.
The Shali Ganga Nallah, located in a fragile forest area, is already facing the brunt of ecological destruction due to illegal mining.
Locals said, Instead of issuing a letter, authorities should have filed an FIR under Section 21 of the MMDR Act, 1957, enabling criminal prosecution and also Seize unauthorized machinery and arrested those involved under J&K Minor Mineral Rules, 2016, Initiate an immediate environmental impact assessment and imposed heavy fines to recover public losses.
Advocate Muhammad Iqbal, a resident of the vicinity, echoed these concerns, stating, “It’s a big mafia that’s plundering our resources while officials conveniently look the other way.”
Another local activist, reacting to the developments, stated, “Despite the show-off notice, the fresh pictures on the ground show how heavy machinery is openly plundering the riverbed. The administration is fooling people while the mafia continues its looting spree.”
Despite repeated attempts to contact DMO Budgam Faisal, he failed to respond to calls for his comments.
Meanwhile, the government recently ordered the attachment of DMO Udhampur following allegations of illegal mining, negligence, and collusion. A similar action is now being demanded against DMO Budgam, with locals insisting that he be held accountable for failing to enforce the law and allowing organized mining rackets to flourish under his watch.(KNB)