BALASORE | Feb 27, 2015: The district administration on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC on a 10-km stretch along river Subarnarekha, a day after it evicted sand mafia of West Bengal who were carrying out illegal sand mining for several years.

A team of district level officials led by Collector Sanatan Mallik demolished the illegal sand mines operating at 12 places from Dakhina Praharajpur to Kuanrpur village and seized two sand lifting machines and a tractor while the illegal occupants managed to flee.

Prior to the eviction and demolition drive, Mallik spoke to Additional SP of West Midnapore district Abhishek Gupta over phone. Two police officials of Dantun police station rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. They, however, returned after the revenue officials informed them about the drive.

Mallik said the demolition drive was carried out on the instruction of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Taradatt who too had written to the DG of police to provide adequate police force for the purpose. Two platoons of police were deployed after the mafia threatened Jaleswar Tehsildar Rajanikant Biswal of eliminating him if he opposed the sand mining. Biswal said the threat still persists as a group of hooligans knocked his doors loudly on Wednesday night and created a ruckus besides abusing and threatening him with dire consequences.

“I called the police but the miscreants fled before the arrival of police. The administration has assured me of police protection. Though a bit scared, I am satisfied that the illegal activities, which were going on for around 50 years, have been stopped,” Biswal said.

Security has also been tightened in Dakhina Praharajpur, Behera Sahi, Totapada, Mankidia, Guagadia, Rajnagar and Kuanrpur villages located close to the river as the mafia had threatened the residents for preventing sand mining on the river banks.

(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)