Sand smugglers try to run over mining staff

blurb: Officials had intercepted sand-laden tractor-trolley in Palwal district when attack took place; 7 booked

Tribune News Service

Palwal, February 25

Sand smugglers reportedly tried to run over a team of Mining Department officials who had cracked down on illegal mining in the Yamuna basin on Monday in Meerpur Korali village in the Hassanpur Assembly segment of the district. Seven persons have been booked in connection with the attack, though no arrest has been made so far.

A police spokesperson said the incident took place around 4 pm when a team of the Mining Department led by ASI Mahinder reached the spot after getting information about illegal mining in the area. Officials spotted a tractor-trolley full of river sand being driven towards the main road from a field. While the team stopped the trolley and asked for documents and the legality of the sand being taken away, two persons present there asked them to wait till they called the owner to the spot.

Within a few minutes, five persons reached the spot and questioned the confiscation of the tractor-trolley. The accused — identified as Mahender, Raman, Sanjay, Vinod ,Jagga and two other unidentified villagers — soon turned aggressive and started hurling abuses. Two of them started the tractor and attempted to run over the team standing in front of the vehicle. The officials managed to get out of the way and received minor bruises. The accused fled the spot.

“A case under Sections 147,149, 186, 188, 323, 353, 341, 307 and 379 of the IPC has been registered against the accused and they are likely to be arrested soon,” Investigating Officer ASI Samay Singh said.