( 1 ) WE have pursued the report of the committee constituted by this courts order dated 7/1/1998. The report given after visiting the site discloses an alarming situation of lawlessness requiring urgent drastic action to stop the illegal activities in the area in question. Shri I. K. Dalela, director of Geology and Mining, government of Uttar Pradesh, is present in the court. In response to our query as to when did he come to know for the first time of the illegal mining activities in that area, he told us that it was only on Saturday, the 10/01/1998 that he came to know of this fact for the first time when the committee constituted by the court visited the site. He also tells us that he has been in this office for the last 5 years. These facts to be taken into account while fixing the responsibility of the persons responsible for commission of the illegalities and for conniving with the same. In view of the magnitude of the problem and the inaction of the authorities so far, the fact that the Director of Geology and mining is even now most casual in his approach towards the problem, as is evident from his demeanor in court before us, we have no option except to require the personal presence of some of the senior most officers of the State government before we issue further directions in the matter. ( 2 ) IN these circumstances, we direct that the Chief secretary of the government of U. P. should remain personally present in the court tomorrow (14. 1. 98. Thecounsel for the State of U. P. would ensure the presence of the Chief secretary by taking such steps as are necessary to inform him of this order. ( 3 ) THE Director, Geology and Mining would also remain personally present in court. ( 4 ) IN view of the contents of the report of the Committee, particularly paragraphs 9 and 10 thereof, we also issue notice to shri V. L. Das, Mining Officer of the area to show cause why proceedings to punish him for contempt of the court should not be initiated against him. The reply be filed within 2 weeks. ( 4 ) IN view of the contents of the report of the Committee, particularly paragraphs 9 and 10 thereof, we also issue notice to shri V. L. Das, Mining Officer of the area to show cause why proceedings to punish him for contempt of the court should not be initiated against him. The reply be filed within 2 weeks. ( 5 ) THE learned Amicus Curiae submitted that this morning Shri A. M. Khanwilkar, a member of the Committee has been informed on telephone that after the office bearers and other members of the Vindhya Kisan Sabha had met the committee members and apprised them of the facts, they have been threatened by some miscreants for having given information to the committee. Amicus curiae submitted, that in these circumstances an appropriate order may be made to ensure proper protection and security to these persons and members of their family who have assisted the committee since they have been threatened on account of assistance they have rendered to the committee at the time of the spot inspection under the orders of this court. We are of the opinion that said direction is required to be made immediately. ( 6 ) ACCORDINGLY, we direct that the director General of Police of U. P. and the concerned I. G. P. of the Zone will ensure proper protection and security being given to the office bearers of the Vindhya Kisan sabha and Narsingh Singh or Netaji, pushpraj Singh, Anand Shekhar and secretary of Vindhya Kisan Sabha who have assisted the committee in the performance of its task under the orders of this court. The learned counsel for the government of U. P. will take immediate steps to apprise the concerned authorities of this direction to enable them to take immediate steps for this purpose. ( 7 ) THE Conservator of Forests, Shri v. K. Thakur is present. We are informed that he has assisted the committee in the spot inspection. He. reiterates the facts stated in the report of the committee. Shri thakur further informs us that ever since he assumed this office about a year back he had been protesting against the illegal mining activities and for this purpose he had also informed the Mining Department as well as the District Magistrate, but to no effect. He. reiterates the facts stated in the report of the committee. Shri thakur further informs us that ever since he assumed this office about a year back he had been protesting against the illegal mining activities and for this purpose he had also informed the Mining Department as well as the District Magistrate, but to no effect. We appreciate the work of the conservator Shri V. K. Thakur in this direction and hope that he and other such officers would be ablele to do the needful hereafter. ( 8 ) LIST the matter tomorrow (14. 1. 98. 1. A. . . . . /98 (filed by Mr. P. K. Manohar, advocate) In W. P. 202/95 ( 9 ) ISSUE notice to the Govt. of Karnataka through standing counsel. Reply be filed within 2 weeks.