Amid public outcry over suspension of 2010 batch IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal in Uttar Pradesh, her batchmate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nalagarh, Yunus Khan in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh was attacked in the wee hours of Thursday by the sand mafia.
Acting on a tip-off, Yunus Khan along with a team left around 4:15 am to nab the vehicles illegally transporting sand from the border areas of the State to the neighbhouring states of Punjab and Haryana.
His vehicle spotted some tractor-trailers loaded with sand on the border of Nalagarh, which Khan signaled to stop. But instead of stopping, the vehicle driver speeded up and rammed the officer's vehicle in an attempt to flee from the spot.
The tractor driver was later nabbed by Khan's team members and was identified as Makhan Singh. "Accused has been booked for attempt to murder and stopping a government functionary from carrying out his duty," said Himachal DGP Sanjay Kumar.
Khan has been spearheading movement against illegal mining since his posting in the district as SDM Nalagarh from January 31. Nalagarh shares porous borders with adjoining Punjab district, where mining is completely banned.
According to intelligence reports, illegal sand mafias are operating in the State and transport sands, pebbles from the river beds of Himachal Pradesh to Punjab, Haryana. Most vehicles carrying illegally mined sand and pebbles take advantage of dark and cross the borders of the State in connivance with the officials.
Khan in his drive against illegal sand mafias has issued challans of over Rs 80 lakh against illegal sand mafias and in the entire sub-division, mafias have been slapped fine of over Rs 1 crore in the past six months.
After Thursday's incident, Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said Yunus Khan is a daring officer and government has asked him to carry out the good work without any fear of interference from any level.
"I have talked to Khan and he is fine. I have asked the Chief Secretary to ensure appropriate security cover for him and speedy legal action against the culprits," said Agnihotri.
"We are trying to tackle the menace of illegal mining in the State and to contain the growing clout of illegal mining mafias, appropriate steps will be taken," added Agnihotri.
Chief Secretary Sudripto Roy said though the State government wanted to enhance his security cover but Khan denied. SP Solan has been asked to provide him security cover.
Sources said illegal sand mafias tried to give a communal colour to his raids carried out at illegal mining spots and a couple of months back, Khan had met Agnihotri to apprise him of the growing clout of sand mafias in the district and possible threat it posed.