The fight against illegal mining in Rajasthan has taken a tragic turn with the death of a man attacked by the gravel mafia in Tonk district. Mukesh Chaudhary, one of two individuals injured in a brutal assault, succumbed to his injuries during treatment in Jaipur, sparking widespread outrage and protests in his village.
Attack Near Gahlod Village and Fatal Aftermath
The incident occurred on December 17 near Gahlod village under the Peeplu police station area. Chaudhary and another man, Bala, were attacked by alleged members of the gravel mining mafia. While Chaudhary was rushed to Jaipur for advanced medical care, he could not survive and passed away on Wednesday.
Following a postmortem, his body was brought back to his native Gahod village and cremated in the evening. The last rites were conducted under heavy police deployment as tensions ran high in the community, with villagers staging demonstrations against the killing.
Public Outcry and Administrative Action
The death ignited immediate and intense protests. Family members and local residents took to the streets, carrying the other injured victim, Bala, on a cot while shouting slogans demanding justice. The public anger was further fueled by recent administrative actions that hinted at deeper collusion.
Just three days before Chaudhary's death, the Director General of Police (DGP) had suspended Peeplu police station officer Raghuveer Singh and five other staff members for their alleged involvement with the gravel mafia. This move confirmed long-standing public suspicions about the nexus between law enforcement and illegal mining operators.
Compensation Package and Police Investigation
After prolonged talks between the district administration, police, and the protesters, an agreement was finally reached to address the family's demands. The administration agreed to a comprehensive compensation package for Mukesh Chaudhary's family, which includes:
- Financial compensation of ₹50 lakh.
- A contractual government job for one family member.
- Allotment of a dairy booth.
- Action on land encroachments made by the attackers.
- A thorough investigation against police personnel involved in the incident.
On the investigation front, Tonk SP Rajesh Kumar Meena stated that a murder case has been registered. Police have arrested four accused in connection with the attack. Special teams have been formed to apprehend the main mastermind, who remains at large. The SP assured the public that the primary accused would be arrested soon.
This case has once again highlighted the violent and entrenched nature of the illegal mining mafia in parts of Rajasthan and the severe challenges faced by both citizens and authorities in curbing such activities.
