Sangrur, Aug. 30 -- A major controversy has erupted in Sangrur's Batriana village, where residents have accused the sarpanch and her husband of engaging in illegal sand mining under the guise of constructing a sewage treatment plant. The villagers alleged that the sarpanch, Baljit Kaur, and her husband, Bindra Singh, dug up deep pits without permissions and sold the excavated soil. A villager Jasveer Kaur said the deep pits posed serious risk to children and animals. Lakhveer Singh, another villager, explained that the village's main water supply system was located just 100 metres from these pits, and any contamination of groundwater will result in the entire village consuming polluted water. In response to the allegations, Bindra Singh stated that the work was initiated to manage wastewater after a resolution by the panchayat. Block development officer (BDO) Lenin Garg said an investigation had been launched. He stated that due to the excessive depth of the pits, around 10 feet, the case had been handed over to the mining department. He said ideally the depth should be 6 to 8 feet, as allowed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board. Garg assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty.HTC...