Sand mafia busted in Balaghat with SP’s daring plan:Surveillance through drone, raid carried out in secret; 7 trucks seized after drivers flee

Balaghat police conducted a major operation against illegal sand mining and transportation at Gongalai Ghat on the Bainanga River with the help of a drone. The action plan was kept so secret that even the TI (Town Inspector) of the police station did not get wind of it. As a result, the police seized seven tractors-trailers loaded with sand. The entire plan was prepared by SP Aditya Mishra. This operation, which started around seven o’clock on Saturday morning, continued till one o’clock in the afternoon. Seeing the police team, the drivers abandoned the vehicles and fled. After this, the police personnel themselves drove all seven tractor-trailers to the Kotwali police station. The police are now preparing a case by tracing the owners and drivers of the vehicles without number plates. Surveillance Through Drone After the police received information about illegal mining early Saturday morning, an action plan was prepared. First, mining and transportation were monitored through a drone. After this, six different teams were formed and a simultaneous raid was conducted at Gongalai Ghat on the Bainanga River. Took Help of Cyber Cell
On the SP’s instructions, six teams were formed under the leadership of Inspector Kamesh Dhumketi to take action against the sand mafia. These included sub-inspectors, head constables, and constables from different police stations. Selected constables from the cyber cell were specially included in these teams. Each team comprised 10 people. SP Made a Special Plan SP Abhishek Mishra did not tell the armed teams where they had to go and what they had to do before the action. After this, instructions were given to Inspector Kamesh Dhumketi. Dhumketi deployed separate teams at all cut points exiting from the sand ghat. After this, illegal excavation was monitored with the help of a drone. As soon as the smugglers started loading sand from the river, after getting the location from the drone, approximately 12 police personnel raided the sand ghat simultaneously. Fled Leaving Vehicles Behind As soon as they saw the police, all seven tractor drivers and laborers fled from the spot. After carrying out the seizure action, the policemen themselves reached the police station with the tractors and trolleys. The special thing is that the Kotwali police got information about the action that took place in the Kotwali police station area. Illegal Business Worth Crores of Rupees
In Balaghat district, there is an illegal sand business worth crores of rupees. News of illegal sand transportation from the Wainganga, Bagh, Chanai and other tributary rivers as well as from forest areas often comes to light. Balaghat’s sand is in high demand in other districts of the state and in Maharashtra due to its quality. Currently, there is no contract for sand mining in the district, yet large-scale illegal mining and transportation continues.
Supreme Court Has Expressed Concern
It is noteworthy that recently the Supreme Court had severely reprimanded the state government for failing to stop illegal sand mining in the Chambal river. The Supreme Court has directed that if illegal excavation does not stop, paramilitary forces will be deployed. The Supreme Court has directed that if illegal excavation does not stop, paramilitary forces will be deployed. See the pictures