Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Feb 16: The Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP) on Monday urged the State Government to intervene immediately to curb alleged large-scale illegal mining activities in the Siji area of Lower Siang district.
Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club here, ADP vice president-cum-spokesperson Johny Yangfo alleged that despite submitting numerous complaints to the concerned authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner, no effective action has been taken so far.
He claimed that rampant and unregulated extraction of minor minerals such as boulders, sand, gravel and soil is taking place in the Siji area under Likabali, with materials reportedly being transported in large quantities to neighbouring Assam.
Yangfo stated that such illegal mining not only causes severe damage to natural resources but also leads to significant revenue loss for the state. He alleged that corruption and malpractices within the Department of Geology and Mining have resulted in substantial revenue leakage, claiming that only a fraction of the revenue generated from mineral extraction reaches the state exchequer.
The party demanded strict action against those involved and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to safeguard the state’s natural wealth.