In a brazen display of audacity, a police patrol team was deliberately targeted by alleged members of the mining mafia in a late-night confrontation in Chandigarh. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, culminated in a high-speed chase and the arrest of two suspects, shedding light on the persistent and violent challenges faced by authorities in curbing illegal mining activities.
The Midnight Ambush in Kansal
The dramatic events began around 1:30 AM near the Kansal gravel zone, a known hotspot for illicit mining operations. A police team from the Sector 3 police station, led by Sub-Inspector Sukhdev Singh, was conducting a routine patrol in the area. Their presence, however, was met with immediate hostility. According to the police complaint, a white Bolero pickup truck, suspected to be involved in illegal mining, was spotted. Instead of fleeing, the occupants of the vehicle took an aggressive stance.
The driver of the Bolero allegedly accelerated and rammed directly into the police patrol vehicle. This deliberate act of violence was followed by the suspects attempting to escape the scene, triggering a dangerous pursuit through the night.
The Chase and Arrest
Undeterred by the attack, the police team swiftly gave chase. The fleeing Bolero was tracked down and intercepted, leading to the apprehension of two individuals. The arrested suspects have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, and Sandeep Singh, both residents of Kurali in Punjab's Mohali district. A case has been registered against them under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those pertaining to attempt to murder, assault on public servant, and criminal conspiracy.
Police officials revealed that the Bolero vehicle used in the attack has been seized. Investigations are ongoing to identify and nab other accomplices who were involved in the incident. The authorities are probing the deep-rooted network of the mining mafia operating in the border areas of Chandigarh and Punjab.
Ongoing Battle Against Illegal Mining
This attack is not an isolated event but part of a larger, troubling pattern. The Kansal and Nepli forest areas on the periphery of Chandigarh have long been plagued by illegal mining operations. These activities cause significant environmental degradation and revenue loss for the state. Police and mining department officials conducting raids or patrols in these zones frequently face threats, intimidation, and even physical attacks from well-organized mafia groups.
The latest ambush underscores the severe risks law enforcement personnel undertake while enforcing the law in these volatile regions. It highlights the need for a more robust and coordinated strategy involving police, mining, and forest departments to dismantle the economic networks that empower these criminal syndicates. The brazenness of using a vehicle as a weapon against a police patrol marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict between authorities and the mining mafia.
The Chandigarh Police have affirmed their commitment to cracking down on these illegal operations and ensuring the safety of their personnel. The arrest of the two accused is seen as a first step, with more action expected as the probe widens to uncover the entire chain of command and supply behind the illicit trade.
