BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 8th February 2024: The authorities have cracked down on the illegal sand mining activities in the Mohanpur Sub-Division area, which have been causing environmental damage and public nuisance. The Mohanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the Police conducted a joint operation on Wednesday and raided the illegal sand mining ghats in the Bir Mohan area under Lefunga block. Three machines used for extracting sand from the riverbed were seized during the raid.
The illegal sand mining activities have been going on for a long time in the area, despite the ban imposed by the government. The sand mafia, also known as the ‘Bali mafia’, has been using heavy vehicles to transport the sand from the ghats to the market, damaging the roads and creating dust pollution. The local residents have been complaining about the noise, traffic, and health hazards caused by the sand mining, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Subhash Datta, said that the raid was part of a sustained campaign against the sand mafia, and that more such actions would be taken in the coming days. He said that the illegal sand extraction was not only harming the environment, but also depriving the government of revenue. He warned the sand traders to abide by the law and obtain the necessary permissions before engaging in any sand mining activity. He also appealed to the public to report any illegal sand mining activities in their area to the authorities.
