Four booked for illegal mining

The police department of Porbandar has confirmed illegal mining of limestone from the land where Saurashtra Chemicals Limited holds mining rights.

Based on a police complaint filed by Umesh Bhavsar, assistant general manager of Saurashtra Chemicals Limited, with the Bagvadar police station against Babu Bokhariya, Bharat Odedara, Bhima Dula and Lakshman Dula for illegal mining and quarrying limestone from the survey number 22 near Jinjarka village, a team of experts from geology and the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation visited the site and submitted its report.

"After visiting the site and carrying out inspection, the team of experts put the illegally mined limestone of about 1.72 million MT worth Rs 54.18 crore," said I M Desai, district police superintendent, Porbandar.

The police seized mining equipment worth about Rs 7 lakh and cases were registered against the four accused. The SP said an appropriate legal action would be initiated against the accused soon.

The mining business here is estimated to be worth about Rs 169 crore. The industry pays taxes to the tune of Rs 27.32 crore per annum.

Even frequent wars break out among the local gangs for control over rich natural resources in the area, which has 350 bauxite, limestone and chalk mines. The natural wealth rich area encompasses 90 km in Porbandar and Jamnagar districts.