Srinagar, Jan 14:  Lot of peoples from Pulwama district  alleged that in gross violation of court orders, sand mafias in nexus with some officials are illegally extracting sand from Jhelum at many places despite a ban.

They said that authorities have failed to curb the movement of machines and vehicles into the Jhelum for extraction of sand, resulting in weakening of the embankments and increasing the threat of floods. Residents of Kandizal, Samboora, Patal Bagh, Kakapora and Hatiwar sai that amid chill, illegal sand mining has been going on unabated across the villages & extraction of sand weakens the fragile banks and poses threat to the villages. It is reported that dozens of tippers enters into the Jhelum during the nights to load sand.

However, an official said that department had instructed the field staff to identify the erring tipper drivers and JCB owners so that action could be taken against them.