The Nilgiri Tehsildar and her raiding staffs faced the wrath of sand mafias when they went to Sono riverbed to check illegal mining of sand.
Tehsildar Susrita Tudu and Revenue Inspectors of Mitrapur and Santragadia accompanied by other staffs raided the sand loading site in the riverbed at Kathapal lat on Sunday night after getting information of sand transport. They intercepted six tractors.
However, the loading and ferrying staff of three tractors vehemently protested the raid by showering slangs against the woman officer, besides heckling her. The staff while retaliated, the violators attacked the RIs and staff. They further took away the tractors from their clutches .
After receiving information, the IIC Nilgiri police station rushed to the spot and rescued all the staff to safety.
One of the accused, Sukanta Chaudhury, of village Karanjia was arrested on the charges of obstructing Government officials from their duties and assaulting them.
On receiving information the district Collector K Sudharshan Chakrarverthy visited Nilgiri and inspected sand lifting points . He further took stock of the situation and warned that stern action would be taken against the sand mafias for smuggling mineral resources.
It may be noted sand mafias continue to flourish despite restrictions and enforcement. It is alleged that they carry out illegal operations in connivance with the enforcement agencies. The illegal sand lifting issue has become a menace of late and not only Sono, similar illegal activities also happen in the Budhabalang and the Subarnarekha rivers too.
The sand lifting tender-awarding process also has been one of key factors for crimes as it involved a hefty profit in a short period . In most of the cases, the mafias in nexus with corrupt Government officials, siphon off sand more than their limit without transit pass, etc.
In the past, several crimes, including firing and stabbing occurred due to disputes between gangs attributed to sand lifting from riverbeds.