Four individuals have been arrested for allegedly attacking police officers, obstructing public servants in the discharge of their official duties, and ramming a police vehicle during a raid on illegal mining operations near the Ghaggar river in Panchkula. The incident occurred when a joint team from the Sector 25 police post and the Mining Department attempted to stop the unauthorized extraction of sand and gravel.
Police Respond to Tip-Off
According to police reports, the Sector 25 police post received information about ongoing illegal mining along the Ghaggar river near Sector 28. Acting on this tip-off, a combined team of law enforcement and mining officials arrived at the scene. They discovered four men loading sand and gravel into a trailer, engaging in illicit mining activities.
Suspects Attack and Attempt Escape
Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Srishti Gupta stated that upon seeing the police, the suspects began pelting the team with stones and attempted to flee on the tractor-trailer. As the police pursued them, the suspects unloaded the illegally mined material onto the road in an effort to hinder the chase. When officers tried to stop the tractor-trailer, the suspects allegedly rammed it into a police vehicle. The police managed to arrest the tractor-trailer driver, Jaswinder Singh, at the scene.
Injured Officer and Legal Action
During the incident, Police Constable Ankit Kumar fell from a vehicle and sustained injuries. He was subsequently admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32 for treatment. A case has been registered at the Chandimandir police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 21 of the Mining Act, reflecting the severity of the offenses.
Investigation Leads to More Arrests
During interrogation, Jaswinder Singh disclosed that he, along with Gurjit Singh (alias Bablu), Deepak, and Sonu, was involved in illegal mining in the Ghaggar river area. Following this revelation, a team from the Sector 25 police post conducted a raid at a location in Kakrali village, Mohali, and apprehended the other three suspects. Gurjit Singh, Sonu, and Jaswinder Singh are residents of Kakrali village, while Deepak hails from Rajiv Colony, Sector 17.
Previous Criminal Records
The police further revealed that Gurjit Singh had a prior criminal record, having been booked in a theft case. Jaswinder Singh is also facing charges in a snatching case, indicating a pattern of criminal behavior among the accused.
Seizure of Equipment and Judicial Custody
In addition to the arrests, the police impounded the tractor-trailer and equipment used in the illegal mining operations. All four suspects were produced before the court and have been sent to judicial custody pending further proceedings. The case highlights ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining along the Ghaggar river, which has been a persistent environmental and law enforcement concern in the region.
