In a daring act of defiance, operatives of an illegal sand mining syndicate targeted officials from the Minor Minerals Department in the Badasahi Tehsil region, verbally abusing them and forcibly recovering three seized sand-laden tractors.
The confrontation unfolded following an official crackdown on rampant illegal sand extraction from various riverbanks along the Budhabalanga River. Acting on specific intelligence, a special squad from the Minor Minerals Department conducted a raid in the Kuliana area and intercepted three tractors illegally carrying sand.
Upon being detained, the drivers immediately alerted the vehicle owners. Acting on the owners’ instructions, the drivers dumped the loaded sand directly onto the spot. Soon after, the vehicle owners, accompanied by local associates, arrived at the location, surrounded the team led by Junior Mining Officer Shivnath Mundari, and unleashed a barrage of verbal abuse and intimidation.
Faced with aggressive threats, the officials were forced to step back as the mob snatched all three vehicles—including two unregistered tractors—and fled the scene.
Local sources indicate that illegal sand extraction has surged across Badasahi Tehsil due to delays in the formal auctioning of sand stretches (sairaats). Unchecked transportation of illegal sand reportedly occurs daily in plain view of both local police and revenue authorities.
Following the assault and vehicle retrieval, Junior Mining Officer Shivnath Mundari lodged a formal complaint at the Badasahi Police Station detailing the identities and details of the three tractors involved. Police have officially registered Case No. 426/26 and initiated a probe to apprehend the perpetrators.
