Rajasthan is witnessing an unprecedented assault on illegal mining mafias, with 90 arrests notched up in a mere 15-day period. This high-octane campaign reflects the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward resource plunder that’s long undermined sustainable development.
Joint task forces swooped down on remote quarries and urban fringes, apprehending workers, supervisors, and financiers alike. Bulldozers used in the illicit trade were crushed on-site, while minerals worth lakhs were auctioned off immediately. Districts like Kota, Jodhpur, and Sirohi bore the brunt of these operations.
A top bureaucrat involved noted, “Intelligence inputs led us to strike at the heart of these operations. We’re not stopping at arrests; prosecutions will follow with ironclad evidence.” Revelations of bribery attempts and threats to officials have surfaced, prompting internal probes.
The ecological toll has been stark: scarred landscapes, depleted aquifers, and biodiversity loss. Activists hope this signals a turning point, urging tech integration like GPS tracking for all mining vehicles. Economically, legal operators welcome the level playing field.
Backed by a high-level monitoring committee, future phases will target supply chains extending to neighboring states. With public support surging, Rajasthan positions itself as a model for resource governance, potentially inspiring similar drives nationwide.