The district administrations of East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan in Jharkhand have launched a rigorous and sustained campaign targeting the unlawful extraction, storage, and movement of sand and stone chips. This decisive action underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards the plundering of natural resources.
Widespread Seizures and Arrests Across the Region
In a series of coordinated operations between December 16 and 22, enforcement teams achieved significant breakthroughs. The mining task force officials, during a major drive at the Kharkai riverbank in Gamharia, confiscated nine heavy vehicles used for transporting sand and stone chips. In the same operation, they dismantled 10 makeshift boats used for illegal activities.
The crackdown was not confined to one area. On December 22, authorities impounded six vehicles, which included four trucks, from within the limits of the Potka police station for the illegal transportation of stone chips. Separately, in the Jugsalai area of Jamshedpur city, three more trucks were seized for illegally moving sand.
Earlier actions included the seizure of a sand-laden truck from the Subarnarekha river bank under Birsanagar police station on December 19. Another truck carrying unauthorized stone chips was taken into custody under the Ghatsila police station limits on December 18.
Massive Stockpile Uncovered and Official Accountability
One of the major hauls occurred on December 16 in the Baharagora police station area. Officials discovered and seized a massive stockpile of 15,000 cubic feet (CFT) of sand, which was stored without authorization for trading purposes. Following these seizures, First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged, and the drivers and helpers of the vehicles were arrested.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi had earlier, on December 10, issued show-cause notices to the circle officers (COs) of eight blocks and the in-charges of the police stations in those blocks. They were questioned for their apparent failure to curb the illegal mining, stockpiling, and transportation of natural minerals.
"Strong and effective action has to be taken against the people involved in illegal mining, stockpiling, and transportation of natural minerals," DC Satyarthi instructed the district mining task force officials, setting the tone for the subsequent raids.
Parallel Action in Seraikela-Kharsawan
In a simultaneous move in the neighbouring Seraikela-Kharsawan district, the mining task force team on Tuesday destroyed 10 boats at the Kharkai riverbanks at Saherbera and Sapra. These locations fall under the Gamharia police station limits. This action aimed to dismantle the infrastructure used for illegal sand mining from the riverbed.
The combined efforts across both districts signal a robust and ongoing administrative effort to protect riverine ecosystems and state revenue from the rampant illegal mining trade. The continued vigilance and multi-pronged strategy of seizing transport, destroying equipment, and holding officials accountable point towards a sustained campaign rather than a one-off event.
