AGRA | Jun 07, 2015: Confrontation between sand mafia and authorities has affected Agra as well. An mining squad was attacked near Rohta canal on Mumbai-Agra highway by sand mafia on Saturday. One person was injured in the attack.
One person has been arrested. However, 13 others managed to flee the spot along with the tractor-trolley in which they were carrying more than 12 tons of red sand dug out from river Chambal that flows by Dholpur in Rajasthan and Morena districts in Madhya Pradesh.
Speaking to TOI, mining inspector M K Pandey said, "On receiving an input from a source, our team was deployed at NH-3 near Rohta canal waiting to intercept the tractor-trolley ferrying sand to Agra city from Deori village. When confronted, the driver of the tractor phoned his aides who came on half a dozen motor-bikes with lathis and iron rods."
When the men were told that their seized vehicle would not be released, all the 14 men started pelting stones at the squad. The team's driver Vimlesh Yadav was injured while the men took away their tractor-trolley. However, the squad nabbed the driver of the trolley and brought him to Sadar police station.
Station officer of Sadar Bazaar Pohap Singh said, "On the written complaint of mining inspector, we have arrested 26-year-old Gajendar of Deori village and also filed an FIR against 13 others under IPC section 147 (Punishment for rioting), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 353(Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty),379 (Punishment for theft) and under the Mines and Minerals 1957 Act 21(4) Penalties for transporting minerals without any lawful authority is liable to be seized by an officer and can invite jail term up to six months or a hefty fine."
Explaining the modus operandi of sand mafia, another official of the mining department said, "Underprivileged villagers who don't have any source of livelihood dig up the Chambal's red sand, ferry it to Deori village in Agra district and store it there.
"Once, an order is placed from Agra city, these men ferry red sand into city. A couple of months ago, 41 men were booked at Dauki police station for extracting sand from Yamuna of Samughar area," he added.
In Agra city, only one private contractor has been authorized to dig of sand from Yamuna river from Etmadpur area of Madanpur (18 acre) and Nariach (five acre) and that too for only 4 cubic meter a trolley that is six tons.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)