Patna :government fines the sand mafia Rs 36 lakh and seizes four trucks
Patna: A joint team of the Mining Department and police carried out a raid against illegal sand mining and transportation near the Mahabalipur Canal under the Paliganj police station area on Saturday at around 12:30 a.m., following the directives of Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S.M., according to an official statement.
Four trucks were discovered illegally mining and carrying sand from the Son River close to the Mahabalipur Canal during the operation. First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed at the Paliganj police station against the owners of each of the four impounded automobiles.
Under the Bihar Mineral Concession, Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage Rules, 2019, as modified in 2024, the four trucks were fined a total of Rs 36 lakh.
The District Magistrate said that anyone engaged in illicit mining will also face severe consequences under the Crime Control Act (CCA), and that frequent enforcement campaigns are being carried out across the district to stop illicit mining and trafficking.
Officials have been instructed to establish strong departmental collaboration and to behave rigorously in accordance with state government rules. They were directed by the District Magistrate to conduct frequent and thorough raids on illicit mining, transit, and storage.
He also emphasized that in order to stop illicit mining operations, special drives must be conducted on a regular basis and high-tech techniques like drones and fast boats must be used. “We must identify those engaged in illicit sand mining and take strong legal action against them,” he said.
Additionally, the District Magistrate instructed staff to guarantee prompt and efficient action on any information received and to bolster the intelligence-gathering process concerning illicit mining, transit, and storage.
He reaffirmed that the district administration has a zero-tolerance policy in this area and that the Sand, Land, and Liquor Mafias, as well as organized gangs involved in prohibition-related offenses and individuals involved in illegal economic activities and criminal activity, will all face harsh legal action, including under the CCA.