Four trucks and an excavator used for illegal extraction of stones along the banks of the Myntdu River in West Jaiñtia Hills were seized by police last night.
The illegality was caught on camera by police along with leaders of Khooid Ya Ka Wah Myntdu and Jaiñtia Students Movement, who went to at Treiongriang, Jowai and found the excavator at work, loading stones on four trucks.
As per preliminary investigation carried out at the spot, one of the truck drivers divulged that the contractor, Friday Hinge had engaged them to transport the extracted stones at a junction in Lad Mustem.
An FIR was lodged at Jowai Police station by the two organisations.
Extraction of boulders and stones from the river has been banned by the National Green Tribunal and the district administration has imposed restrictions to save the river from the onslaught of human activities.
Organisations rooting for clean environment have been doing their bid to ensure the river is not further harmed since the river is long considered the guardian force of Jowai and its surrounding areas.
