Illegal sand mining in Amritsar and its surrounding areas continues unabated, thanks to a shortage of staff in the Industries Department and the alleged indifferent attitude of the Police Department. The illegal activity has resulted in environmental degradation. It is also proving a security threat as mining is being done near the Indo-Pak border from where the Ravi flows. The Rajasansi police yesterday intercepted a truck and a trolley laden with sand coming from the Ajnala side. Though the police impounded the vehicles, the accused managed to escape. Ever since a ban on the illegal excavation of sand was imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in April last year, the Industries Department has lodged at least 50 cases of illegal mining in Amritsar and 13 in Tarn Taran. The excavation is being mainly done from the Ravi belt along Ajnala and from the Sutlej and Beas in Tarn Taran. The Amritsar rural police has so far arrested 69 persons in this connection after registering cases against 89 persons. "For round-the-clock vigil, we need at least 30-40 per cent more staff," said Dharam Pal Bhagat, General Manager, Industries. He claimed that they had managed to curb the illegal activity to a larger extent, but admitted that it was still continuing during late hours. Bhagat claimed the government was in the process of recruiting more staff. "Till the recruitment process is completed, the power of registration of case has been relegated to the district administration, including Deputy Commissioner, SDM and SSP of the Amritsar rural police," said Bhagat. In the absence of any wing of the Mining Department at Pathankot, the district industries centre has been keeping a check on illegal mining in the area. The Border Security Force authorities have also took up the matter with the district administration as "it has resulted in serious security threat besides damaging the road laid by the BSF for reaching to its posts. Ban proves ‘ineffective’ The illegal activity is proving a security threat since it is done near the Indo-Pak border The excavation is being mainly done from the Ravi belt along Ajnala and from the Sutlej and Beas in Tarn Taran The Industries Department has lodged at least 50 cases of illegal mining in Amritsar and 13 in Tarn Taran since April last year