Major Illegal Sand Mining Operation Uncovered in Yavatmal District
In a significant crackdown on environmental and revenue violations, authorities in Yavatmal district have dismantled a substantial illegal sand mining network. The coordinated late-night operation targeted the Rohini sand ghat located within the Wardha riverbed in Ralegaon taluka, leading to substantial seizures and legal actions.
Late-Night Raid Leads to Major Seizures
Acting on specific intelligence about large-scale unauthorized excavation and transportation activities occurring beyond the legally permitted hours, a joint team from the revenue and police departments conducted a surprise raid around 2 AM. The operation resulted in the confiscation of 11 tipper trucks, two boats, and two poclain machines, with the total estimated value of the seized assets reaching approximately ₹1.42 crore.
Officials have registered cases against 20 individuals at the Vadki police station, invoking various sections of the law. It is important to note that excavation is strictly prohibited after 6 PM at all 31 auctioned sand ghats across Yavatmal district, a regulation blatantly violated by the accused.
Widespread Illegal Activities Across Multiple Talukas
Authorities have highlighted that similar illicit sand mining operations are reportedly active in other talukas including Wani, Umarkhed, and Mahagaon. These unauthorized activities are causing significant financial losses to the state government, estimated to be in lakhs of rupees daily. Sources indicate that sand extracted during daytime hours is often stockpiled and transported after 10 PM to evade detection by authorities.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of revenue officials who attempt to take action against sand smugglers, with reports suggesting some have faced threats while performing their duties.
Stringent MCOCA Invoked in Related Chandrapur Case
In a related development demonstrating the organized nature of such criminal networks, Chandrapur police have applied the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against alleged sand mafia members. This action follows a murder case at the Bamarda sand ghat in Warora taluka earlier this month, where a man was killed over a financial dispute.
According to a complaint filed by Pankaj Wankhede on March 1 at Warora police station, a group of men attacked him and his associates with swords and wooden sticks, resulting in the death of Bharat Dayanand Nagpal. Police have arrested 12 accused in this case, most hailing from Wardha district with one from Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh.
Investigations revealed that the accused were allegedly part of an organized criminal syndicate involved in multiple unlawful activities including illegal sand mining, transportation, and gambling. The Special Inspector General of Police for Nagpur Range subsequently approved the proposal to invoke MCOCA against this criminal gang, reflecting the serious nature of their operations.
The raid in Yavatmal was conducted under the supervision of Pandharkawada sub-divisional police officer Robin Bansal and Ralegaon sub-divisional officer Sudhir Patil, who led the team that discovered sand being illegally extracted and loaded onto trucks during their inspection.
