AGARTALA, Jan 13 (TIWN): The blanket ban on sand-mining and quarry enforced by High Court seems to have fallen loose with the instance of sand mining going rampant in the state at different places. Though the High court has imposed a restriction on the sand mining yet there is a rise in the sand mining from different belt of Gomoti River in the state.

Amidst of the ban imposed by the HC, it is alleged that the sand-mafia’s are showing a thumb finger to the decision of the HC and are carrying out drilling from the river bed in the broad day light under the nose of the police.

Taking the advantage of the slackness attitude of police, the sand-mafia’s continues sand mining in different belt of Gomoti River including spots at Pitra, Gokulpur and others.

It’s a quick money-making industry with very little investment. All you need is a truck, laborers, a driver, and a place to go and mine. It is also alleged that a portion of the profits keeps the police happy and as a result keeps silence over the issue.

The environmental consequences of such mining, though, can be serious. These can include increased flooding as miners cart away the sand holding Back River waters.

Indiscriminate and unregulated sand-mining causes erosion of the river bank and damages biodiversity. Sand mining on either side of rivers in stream or upstream is one of the causes of environmental degradation and also a threat to biodiversity.

The new regulations have meant hardship for thousands, including truck owners, construction workers, traders and others who are indirectly linked to sand mining and are now carrying out their business illegally. Most are finding it hard to get by on restricted mining and are doing whatever work they can find to get by.

Sand continues to be trucked from the various parts of the Gomoti River in the State, despite the fact that the government has not issued permits to mine sand.

Reportedly, the miscreants than illegally sells the smuggled sand with high price. On the other hand, the sand mafia claims that the sand has been trucked after allegedly clearing deal with the Forest Department.

Agitated locals residing near the Gomoti River claimed that the officials of Forest Department are involved in the sand mining should be unveiled soon. Further, a strict action should be taken against them.

Locals alleged that the sands are trucked by the mafia after they collect the sand with the help of machine.