By Siraj Khan, Nepalgunj, July 8: After shutting down 24 crusher industries operating illegally in Banke and confiscating river materials worth around Rs. 2 billion, the district inspection committee of Banke has now intensified the search for hidden river materials.

During a search, the inspection committee seized river materials such as stones, pebbles and sands worth around Rs. 50 million, and a JCB from Madhuwa Community Forest in Ward 2 of Rapti-Sonari Gaunpalika.

“We had received information regarding the hiding of river materials, which were extracted illegally, in the community forest. When we reached and searched the area, we found it and confiscated it,” said Ram Bahadur Kurumbang, Chief District Officer of Banke.

According to the Banke District Administration Office, the inspection team seized a JCB and arrested its owner Babu Raja Malla as well.

The hiding of river materials and a JCB for continuing the illegal work,  the confiscation has shown how rampant the illegal activity is.

 “In the last fiscal year, tender for extraction of stones, sand and pebbles was not allowed to open and the extraction was conducted under the coordination of illegally operating crusher industries. It was the similar situation that would have continued but we took necessary action for its prevention,” said Ajay Kumar Shreevastav, chairman of the inspection committee.

As per Shreevastav, the administration padlocked 24 out of 27 crusher industries operating in Banke for not abiding by the standards. Electricity has also been cut off in those industries.

Since the price of construction materials extracted from rivers were turning expensive and the syndicate of crusher industries created a shortage of river materials, the district administration had formed the inspection committee to curb such activities and investigate into the matter.

“We are receiving information regarding the hiding of materials. We will intensify our search and bring all the perpetrators behind the illegal business under legal action,” said Shreevastav.