In a significant crackdown on illegal sand mining, authorities in Nagpur district intercepted a major operation and confiscated vehicles and material worth lakhs of rupees. The action was based on specific intelligence about unlawful activities threatening the local river ecosystem.
Coordinated Raid Halts Riverbed Theft
Acting on a confidential tip-off, a team from Bela police station joined forces with revenue officials from Pipla Kotwali to conduct a surprise inspection on Monday. Their target was the Nand river channel flowing through Pipra Shivar, where unauthorized extraction of sand was reported.
The joint team's vigilance paid off when they successfully intercepted a tractor and a trolley that were fully loaded with freshly extracted sand. The discovery was made at the site in Pipra Shivar itself, confirming the illegal activity.
Accused Flee, Vehicles and Sand Seized
Upon spotting the police and revenue team, the individuals operating the vehicles abandoned them and fled from the scene to avoid immediate arrest. Undeterred, the authorities took possession of the vehicles and the stolen sand.
The total estimated value of the seized tractor, trolley, and the illicit sand is approximately Rs 6.5 lakh, marking a substantial financial blow to the illegal mining network.
Legal Action Initiated Against Four Accused
Following the seizure, a formal case was registered at the Bela Police Station against four individuals, all residents of Pipri. The accused have been identified as Rajkumar Kamdi, Sudhakar Khadgi, Naresh Sorate, and Mohan Mandaskar.
The police have slapped charges under a stringent combination of laws, including:
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Relevant sections of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code
- Provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act
- The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act
This multi-pronged legal approach indicates the seriousness of the offence, which involves theft of natural resources, damage to public property, and violation of state revenue and mining regulations. The search for the absconding accused is currently underway.
