Forest Officer Attacked by Mining Mafia in Uttarakhand's Vikasnagar
In a disturbing incident highlighting the ongoing conflict with illegal mining operations, a forest department officer was assaulted in Vikasnagar, on the outskirts of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. This event follows recent criminal activities linked to mining mafia in the Terai belt, now spreading to the Garhwal zone.
Details of the Assault
Sub-divisional officer (SDO) Rajiv Naman Nautiyal from Chakrata was attacked on Friday evening while investigating reports of illegal mining in a reserved forest area near the Haripur–Kalsi bridge. Upon reaching the site, Nautiyal questioned the movement of a dumper allegedly using a restricted riverbank route to Dumait. After finding the responses unsatisfactory, he began recording a video, which allegedly prompted mining operators and their associates to assault him. A medical examination confirmed that he sustained injuries from the attack.
Police Response and FIR Registrations
Based on Nautiyal's complaint, police registered an FIR against Manish Chauhan, Pradeep Negi, Majram Sharma, and two unidentified persons. The charges include sections related to assault on a public servant, rioting, and causing hurt under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A video of the assault has since gone viral on social media, drawing public attention to the case.
In a twist, Chauhan, named in Nautiyal's FIR, lodged a counter-complaint, leading police to register a second FIR. Chauhan alleged that Nautiyal was in an inebriated condition, used casteist slurs, assaulted him without provocation, and damaged vehicles with a cane. This complaint includes charges under BNS sections for criminal intimidation, intentional insult, voluntarily causing hurt, and relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Background and Environmental Concerns
The incident occurred between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm in an area along the Tons and Yamuna river floodplains and wetlands, known as important roosting sites for migratory birds. This highlights the environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities in sensitive ecosystems.
Dehradun SP (rural–Vikasnagar) Pankaj Gairola stated that Nautiyal alleged he spotted a mining dumper near the Yamuna river and began recording after the owner failed to produce valid documents. Nautiyal further claimed he was surrounded, assaulted, accused of being drunk, and had his mobile phone snatched and thrown on the ground.
Broader Context
This assault follows another recent case in Dehradun where the director of elementary education was attacked inside his office, indicating a pattern of violence against officials. The incident underscores the challenges faced by authorities in curbing illegal mining operations in Uttarakhand, with tensions escalating between law enforcement and mining mafia groups.
With inputs from Kalyan Das.
