The pace of the ongoing campaign against illegal traders is slow. file photo
Jagran correspondent, Patna. Due to severe cold in Bihar's capital Patna for the last 15 days, the pace of the ongoing campaign against illegal sand traders has slowed down. Due to this, illegal sand business has again gained momentum in the district. The sand mafia of Ganga-Son river has become active.
Tractors laden with sand have again started roaming on the roads of the capital. However, due to absence of domestic construction work due to severe cold, the demand for sand has reduced. According to traders, the price per tractor trolley has reduced by Rs 1,000. Seeing this, many people are buying and storing it from now on.
After the death of a SAP jawan due to being crushed by the illegal sand mafia, an intensive campaign against them was started in the month of December on the instructions of the DM. Despite intensive action, the game of illegal mining, transportation and storage was continuing. During the four days, the raiding team seized three boats carrying white sand from Maner, arrested seven people and collected a fine of Rs 34 lakh.
28 tractor trolleys were seized in Digha and a fine of Rs 32 lakh was imposed, nine tractor trolleys were seized from Beur Mor and a fine of Rs 10.50 lakh was imposed. Action was also taken at many other places including Bikram's Rani Talab. DM Dr. Thiagarajan SM had said that the campaign against illegal sand mining, transportation and storage will continue.
He had directed to use drones, hi-tech boats and strong information system to crack down on sand mafia. Besides, strict action will also be taken against organized gangs under the Crime Control Act (CCA).
At the same time, the effect of severe cold is also being seen on the prices of sand. Except for the big construction work of agencies, the work of house construction etc. has stopped. Construction companies buy from big agencies.
In such a situation, illegal traders are getting less customers. Keeping this in view, they have reduced the price per tractor trolley by Rs 1,000. At the same time, many shopkeepers are also storing sand in order to benefit from the price increase later. The administration is also collecting information about the storage places of these traders.
Regular action is being taken to prevent illegal mining, transportation and storage of sand in Rohtas district. There is no organized illegal mining of sand anywhere in the district. People who are secretly extracting sand and doing illegal business are being identified and action is being taken. -Karthik Kumar, District Mining Officer