Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Services (JKPSC)

• 22 Nov 2024

NIA Conducts Raids to Investigate Militant Infiltration

Why in News?

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at multiple locations across five districts of Jammu and Kashmir.These searches were linked to a case involving terrorist infiltration from across the border and recent attacks on security forces and civilians.

Key Points

• Background:
  • The NIA registered a case based on information about the infiltration of active terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) into Indian territory through the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).
• NIA Searches:
  • Locations:
    • NIA teams conducted extensive searches at eight locations across the districts of Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Outcomes:
    • The searches resulted in the seizure of materials linking banned terrorist outfits to overground workers (OGWs) and hybrid terrorists.
    • The premises of sympathisers and cadres of banned organisations were also searched as part of the operation.
  • Link to Banned Outfits:
    • The suspected hybrid terrorists and OGWs were associated with new offshoots and affiliates of banned terrorist outfits such as LeT and JeM.

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• About:
  • The NIA is the Central Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency of India mandated to investigate all the offences affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India. It includes:
    • Friendly relations with foreign states.
    • Against atomic and nuclear facilities.
    • Smuggling of arms, drugs and fake Indian currency and infiltration from across the borders.
    • The offences under the statutory laws enacted to implement international treaties, agreements, conventions and resolutions of the United Nations, its agencies and other international organisations.
  • It was constituted under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008.
  • The agency is empowered to deal with the investigation of terror related crimes across states without special permission from the states under written proclamation from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi

Action Against Illegal Mining

Why in News?

Recently, the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir chaired a high-level meeting to deliberate on the pressing issue of illegal mining across Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points

• Strict Measures Against Illegal Mining:
  • The Deputy CM directed officials to implement stringent measures to eradicate illegal mining.
  • He stressed the need for night-time vigilance and frequent inspections to monitor activities.
  • Emphasis was placed on ensuring accountability at all levels of administration.
  • Issues of mismatch between field data and records on the J&K Mining Web Portal were also highlighted.
• Data Management and Coordination:
  • Officials were instructed to provide updated and comprehensive data on mining activities.
  • Consistent coordination with police was urged to enhance field-level monitoring.
• Environmental Concerns and Sustainable Management:
  • Concerns were raised over pollution in water bodies caused by illegal mining.
  • The need for concerted efforts to address ecological damage as part of sustainable resource management was emphasized.

Illegal Mining

• About:
  • Illegal mining is the extraction of minerals, ores, or other valuable resources from land or water bodies without the necessary permits, licenses, or regulatory approvals from government authorities.
  • It can also involve the violation of environmental, labor, and safety standards.

• Issues:
  • Environmental Degradation:
    • It can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution and can result in the destruction of habitats for wildlife, which can have serious ecological consequences.
  • Hazards:
    • Illegal mining often involves the use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, which can pose serious health risks to miners and nearby communities.
  • Loss of Revenue:
    • It can lead to a loss of revenue for governments as miners may not pay appropriate taxes and royalties.
    • This can have significant economic impacts, particularly in countries where natural resources are a major source of revenue.
  • Human Rights Violations:
    • Illegal mining can also result in human rights violations, including forced labor, child labor, and exploitation of vulnerable populations.