Midnight Raid: Charanjit Singh Channi Exposes Illegal Sand Mining in Ropar
Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi conducts a midnight raid on a Ropar mining site, accusing AAP of profiting from illegal sand mining.
In a dramatic late-night operation, former Punjab Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Charanjit Singh Channi descended upon a mining site in Ropar district to expose what he claims is rampant illegal sand mining Punjab. Traveling in a tipper truck under the cover of darkness, Channi aimed to catch the illicit operations red-handed, alleging that the state's "white gold" is being looted with government patronage.
A Midnight Surprise at the Mining Site
Accompanied by Congress leader Barinder Singh Dhillon and a group of party workers, Channi reached the site around 1 am on Thursday night. According to the former CM, the scene was one of full-scale industrial activity despite the hour. He reported seeing Poklane machines actively excavating sand, with long queues of tipper trucks waiting their turn to be loaded.
The arrival of the high-profile leader sparked immediate chaos. Channi claimed that those operating at the site panicked upon recognizing him, leading some drivers to flee the scene in haste, leaving behind their machinery and equipment.
Allegations of Official Negligence
During the visit, Channi intercepted several machine operators and truck drivers to gather information about the scale of the operations. Seeking immediate government intervention, he contacted the Ropar Deputy Commissioner via telephone to report the activity and requested that officials be dispatched to the site.
However, Channi expressed frustration over the response, alleging that no government officials arrived at the location for a significant amount of time, even after being informed of the ongoing illegal activity.
The "White Gold" Controversy: Where is the Money?
The Congress leader launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, questioning the transparency of the state's mining revenue. He highlighted a stark contradiction between the government's claims and the reality on the ground.
- Revenue Discrepancy: Channi questioned the state government's claim of generating ₹20,000 crore annually from mining, demanding an explanation as to why this money is not reflecting in the government treasury.
- Political Funding: He alleged that the profits from these illegal operations are not reaching the state exchequer but are instead flowing into the pockets of AAP leaders and the Punjab Chief Minister.
- Election Financing: In a serious accusation, Channi claimed that the proceeds from this illegal trade are being used by the AAP to fund its election campaigns in other states.
Government Complicity and Financial Loss
Channi described the situation as a systemic failure, asserting that illegal mining is thriving under the complicity of officials and the direct patronage of the current administration. He accused officials of "remaining asleep at home" while the illegal trade continues unabated under the cover of night.
He concluded that this widespread illicit activity is causing massive financial losses to the state of Punjab, stripping the public treasury of vital funds while benefiting a few political figures.