Mining mafia try to attack dy collector; two held

The mining mafia in the district allegedly tried to attack a senior woman officer when she opposed illegal mining of sand from the area.

The mining mafia members engaged in illegal mining of sand in the Baskawah village under Bijawar tehsil were challenged on Wednesday by Deputy Collector and in-charge mining officer, Sapna Khemaria, following which they tried to attack her and other staff members.

While on her way to Bijawar, she found two tractor-trolleys illegally dumping sand in the area, Khemaria told PTI. "We caught a tractor-trolley and its driver while another one tried to escape following which we started chasing it," she said.

The second tractor managed to reach a nearby populated area and its driver informed his associates about the incident following which they also reached the spot.

"However, we took the second tractor also in our possession and when we are trying to bring it back, mining mafia members blocked our way with their motorcycles following which the tractor overturned," she said.

"Despite resistance, we managed to arrest the two tractor drivers and brought them to Bijawar police station," the deputy collector said.

Chhattarpur Collector Rajesh Bahuguna said everyday the mining department team seizes two-three tractors engaged in transporting sand in an illegal manner in the district.

The drive had gained momentum after the mining charge was given to Khemaria, he said. The matter is under investigation and initially a case of illegal mining and obstructing official work was registered against those caught by the team, the Collector said.

After the probe, more sections will be added against the accused persons in this regard, he added. Notably, a young IPS officer, Narendra Kumar, was allegedly killed by mining mafia when he was chasing a tractor-trolley loaded with illegally mined stones near Banmore town in Morena district of the state last year.