A combine team of Mining, Revenue and Police Department raided an illegal sand mining site at the banks of Hiran river in Khinni village under Ponda Tehsil of Sihora subdivision. The operation led to seizure of two JCB machines, a 10-wheeler Hyva truck, and a tractor-trolley allegedly involved in illegal sand mining from the Hiran River. The raid was conducted acting on the directives of Collector Raghavendra Singh to curb illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals, According to SDM Sihora, Jyoti Paraste, the action was carried out by Tehsildar Lalit Gwalvanshi and Mining Inspector Shivpal Chaudhary following information about unauthorized sand excavation in the area. During the surprise inspection, officials found two JCB machines actively engaged in mining sand from the riverbed. A half-loaded 10-wheel Hyva truck and a tractor-trolley loaded with sand were also seized. The vehicles used in the illegal mining operation have been parked at Gosalpur Police Station for further legal proceedings.

 

During the raid, team also detained the operators of the two JCB machines, identified as Mohammad Rahman alias Mohammad Riaz Mansoori and Mohit Barman, son of Ranjeet Barman. Both the arrested were questioned at Gosalpur Police Station. Tehsildar Lalit Gwalvanshi informed that during interrogation, JCB operator Mohammad Riaz Mansoori informed police that the illegal sand mining at Khinni was being conducted under the direction of Balram alias Golu Singh, a resident of Channota village. The operators further stated that one of the seized JCB machines belongs to Arun Pratap Bhadauria alias Sonu Bhadauria of Channota, while the other is owned by Shubham Patel of Panagar. Officials are also working to ascertain the ownership of the seized Hyva truck. SDM Jyoti Paraste said that a case has been registered under the relevant mining regulations against the individuals involved. The matter will be forwarded to the Collector’s Court through the Mining Department for further legal action.