Khaira Bet (Ludhiana): Villagers and farming unions have established a “Pukka Morcha” (permanent front) on the banks of the Satluj River, warning that aggressive sand mining under the guise of desilting has brought a critical embankment to the brink of collapse.The protest, now in its third day, has drawn more than 250 residents from Khaira Bet and surrounding areas. Demonstrators claim that heavy machinery is being used to excavate sand just 100 meters from a vital river bandh (embankment), creating “dangerous” water depths that threaten dozens of downstream villages with imminent flooding.“The embankment is directly adjacent to flowing river water, and the depth is already at a critical level,” said Advocate Ravinderpal Singh, a lead organizer of the protest. “There is a serious and imminent risk of the embankment breaching at any time.”Safety Concerns and Heavy MachineryLocal leaders allege that the mining operations lack valid permits and bypass safety regulations. Hardeep Singh Lucky, a former village head (sarpanch), noted that nearly 600 acres of local poplar crops were destroyed in previous flooding incidents, and residents fear a repeat disaster if the structural integrity of the bandh is compromised.Despite the Punjab govt’s “Apna Khet, Apni Ret” (Own Field, Own Sand) policy — intended to allow flood-affected farmers to clear sand from their own land — protesters say they are being blocked from manual extraction while commercial interests use heavy industrial equipment to strip the riverbed.“We are never allowed to lift sand from our own fields with our hands, yet we see heavy machinery being used for large-scale mining right next to our homes,” said Jatinder Pal Singh, a former local official with land in the area.Demands for Administrative ActionThe protesters have formally submitted complaints to the deputy commissioner of Ludhiana and the secretary of the mining and irrigation department, Krishan Kumar. The villagers are refusing to vacate the site until a high-level official visits the spot to assess the damage and provide a permanent solution.
