Amidst restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on illegal mining, quarrying and collection of stones and sand, officials of Sawombung Forest department seized around 40 truck-loads of red sands today morning at around 7.30AM.
According to the forest official the trucks have been trying to transport the sand illegally from Moirangpurel area in Imphal East.
Speaking to media persons A Nabchandra, Forest Officer of Sawombung said that the Supreme Court has banned illegal mining and quarrying of red sand, stone etc is illegal under the said order. Besides it is a violation of Forest Conversation Act.
On top of it, illegal excavation of sand and stone led to environment destruction and water pollution.
After the Forest Department filed a case at the local police station, owners of the vehicles have been produced before the CJM Imphal East and released after penalized with appropriate fine.