BJP leader Baliawal demands halt to illegal mining in Ludhiana's Sahnewal area
Synopsis
Fifty villages in Ludhiana's Sahnewal belt have had enough — their sarpanches and BJP leaders marched to the Deputy Commissioner's office alleging the AAP government is letting the mining mafia operate day and night, with 450 acres of farmland already lost to the Sutlej and monsoon flood risk looming.
Key Takeaways
BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal and 25 sarpanches from nearly 50 villages submitted a memorandum to the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner on 6 May 2025 .
Delegation demands immediate halt to illegal mining in the Sahnewal assembly area, accusing the AAP government of inaction.
Unchecked mining near river zones reportedly risks flood-like situations during the upcoming monsoon season.
Nearly 450 acres of fertile agricultural land was washed into the Sutlej river last year, with illegal mining cited as the primary cause.
Baliawal has warned of a permanent protest by villagers and BJP workers if the government fails to act.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal, accompanied by 25 sarpanches and representatives from nearly 50 villages of the Sahnewal assembly constituency, on Wednesday, 6 May submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, demanding an immediate halt to illegal mining activities in the region. The delegation accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of allowing large-scale mining to continue openly despite pre-election promises to end the practice.
Key Demands Raised in the Memorandum
Addressing the media after the submission, Baliawal alleged that mining activities are being carried out day and night under the state government's watch, with little to no intervention from authorities. He said residents of villages and adjoining areas are living under constant fear as mining operations encroach upon residential colonies and agricultural land. The BJP spokesperson warned that unchecked extraction near river zones could trigger flood-like situations during the monsoon season, placing nearby villages and colonies at serious risk.
Villagers Unite Against the Mining Mafia
Baliawal stated that residents from nearly 50 villages have collectively united against what he described as the mining mafia, accusing the AAP-led Punjab government of completely failing to rein in illegal operations.
Point of View
But the underlying grievance — 450 acres of farmland lost to the Sutlej and monsoon risk building — is verifiable and serious. AAP swept Punjab in 2022 partly on an anti-corruption, anti-mining-mafia platform; allegations that illegal extraction continues openly in Sahnewal are a direct challenge to that founding promise. What is missing from this episode is any response from the state government or an independent assessment of the mining's scale. Until that accountability loop closes, the story risks being reduced to opposition theatre when it may in fact be a genuine environmental and safety crisis.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BJP leader Baliawal demand from the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner?
BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal, along with 25 sarpanches and representatives from nearly 50 villages of the Sahnewal assembly, submitted a memorandum to the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner on 6 May 2025 demanding an immediate halt to illegal mining in the area. He accused the AAP government of allowing mining to continue day and night despite promises to end the practice.
Why are villagers in Sahnewal concerned about illegal mining?
Residents fear that large-scale mining near residential colonies, agricultural land, and river areas poses immediate safety risks including potential flooding during the monsoon season. Last year, nearly 450 acres of fertile agricultural land was reportedly washed into the Sutlej river, with illegal mining cited as the primary cause.
What action has BJP threatened if mining continues?
Baliawal warned that if the government fails to stop mining activities, villagers along with BJP workers and panchayat representatives will launch a permanent protest in the coming days.
Has the Central government previously taken note of the situation in Sahnewal?
Yes. In September last year, Union Minister B.L. Verma visited Sasrali village in Sahnewal to review the flood situation and inspected over 2.5 km of temporary embankments built by villagers. During the visit, Baliawal briefed the minister on the destruction and highlighted illegal mining as the root cause, and the minister assured Central government support.
What is the AAP government's position on illegal mining in Punjab?
The AAP government has not responded to the specific memorandum, according to available information. The party had promised to end illegal mining in Punjab as part of its 2022 election campaign, and these allegations represent a direct challenge to that commitment.
