Two hurt as mining mafia attacks cops in Nuh; 2nd assault in week

Two police personnel were injured when a team of the Haryana State Enforcement Bureau was attacked with stones by over 25 men as it intercepted tractor-trailers carrying illegally quarried stones in the Ferozepur Jhirka area of Nuh district. This is the second such attack within a week in the area.

An entire hill was blasted by the mining mafia in the same area nearly two weeks ago. No action has been taken against the accused so far.

The team was headed to the Ghata Shamshabad area following a tip-off about illegal mining, as per the FIR filed by ASI Rakesh Kumar.

“When we reached near the toll plaza, we noticed three tractor-trailers filled with stones moving towards us. As we signalled the drivers to stop, they tried to speed away. A chase ensued and two of the vehicles were intercepted. As we tried to return with the vehicles, over 25 people from nearby villages came and started pelting us with stones,” said Rakesh Kumar in the FIR.

Two police personnel were seriously injured in the attack and rushed to a hospital. SHO Aman Singh said they had identified the suspects and raids were on to nab them. Six days ago, a similar attack was carried out on a team that was conducting a raid to check illegal mining in Punhana. The team tried to impound a JCB being used for illegal mining when it was attacked by villagers.

In 2022, a DSP of the Nuh police was murdered by the mining mafia when he intercepted a vehicle carrying illegal stones. After a lull, illegal miners have once again become active in the region. They have been targeting hills on the Rajasthan border and have already blasted four such hills.

Forest Minister Rao Narbir said he would take up the issue of illegal mining in the state with the Chief Minister.

The performance of the Enforcement Bureau, which was formed a year ago to curb illegal mining, would be reviewed, he said.