Asansol South police have seized twelve illegal sand-loaded tractors during overnight raids in Damra, Kalipahari, within the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC) limits.
Acting on the directives of Sunil Kumar Chaudhury, commissioner of Police, ADPC, regarding widespread illegal sand mining in Damra and Kalipahari, the police conducted prolonged raids, resulting in the seizures.
According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), sand mining along riverbanks is prohibited during the monsoon. In line with this, the state government has also issued strict notifications banning sand extraction from riverbanks throughout the state.
Despite these directives, illegal sand extraction allegedly continues at several river ghats of the Damodar and Ajay rivers in West Burdwan district.
Names of suspected illegal sand operators — including Papu, Bappa, Koushik, Suman, Sujit, Vivek, and Govinda — emerged during police interrogations. The CP has further ordered the closure of illegal sand depots in Asansol and Durgapur sub-divisions, from where materials are transported to other districts.
The drivers and helpers of the seized tractors were arrested by Asansol South police and have been presented at Asansol Court today.
The raids have sparked widespread concern across West Burdwan district regarding ongoing illegal mining operations.
Jitendra Tiwari, former mayor of Asansol and BJP leader, has alleged that thousands of dumpers and tractors operate daily in the district from various sand ghats, flouting NGT restrictions. He further claimed that overloaded vehicles are damaging roads and contributing to frequent accidents.
TMC leader V Sivadasan stated that police take action upon receiving specific complaints. He affirmed that the recent raids were in response to illegal mining activities in the ADPC jurisdiction.