Sand mafia tries to set mining officer’s car ablaze

The sand mafia that has been operating in Ludhiana and surrounding areas is getting bolder day by day and has started attacking police and mining officers, who try to check their illegal activities on the banks of Sutlej River.

The sand mafia that has been operating in Ludhiana and surrounding areas is getting bolder day by day and has started attacking police and mining officers, who try to check their illegal activities on the banks of Sutlej River.

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On Monday, the aides of sand mafia attacked general manager-cum-mining officer, district industrial centre, Rakesh Pathak. The aides of sand mafia also tried to set his car afire.

Pathak has lodged an FIR against unidentified accused in this context at the Ladhowal police station.

In his complaint Pathak alleged that he had got information that some of the people have been stealing sand from Sutlej river near Kutbewal Arayian and Fateshgarh Gujran villages. When he reached at the spot, the accused threatened him and also tried to set his car afire. A case under section 353, 186, 294, 506 of IPC and section 21 of mining act has been registered against the unidentified accused.

It is not the first incident when sand mafia has attacked a government official. On July 23, the sand mafia had manhandled Machhiwara SHO inspector Jarnail Singh and head constable Ashwani Kumar near Tandi village and fled from the spot.

Panchayat of Gurugarh of Machhiwara villages had also written to police to register a case against the sand mafia. The panchayat said the mafia had been mining illegally from the riverbed that could cause floods in the village.