After CM’s orders, Burdwan authorities start crackdown

A day after the Chief Minister instructed the police to take stern action against the sand mafia, the Burdwan district administration started a crackdown on the illegal sand smuggling.

A senior administrative official of Durgapur on Wednesday intercepted three trucks loaded with sand at Laudoha.

A joint team of police and administrative officials in the district carried out a raid at the area and caught the vehicles which were involved in the illegal smuggling of the sand.

The district administration had received a number of complaints against the sand mafia in the past few months.

The local people alleged that despite of the repeated pleas to the local police administration, they did not take any steps against the sand and coal mafia that operates in the area.

Police also arrested some persons for their alleged involvement in smuggling sand and coal in the area. Police are interrogating the accused to know the names of the other persons behind the smuggling racket.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday during a meeting instructed the administration to take stern action against those who were involved in the smuggling of sand and coal.

Banerjee categorically mentioned that if any worker of her party was involved in illegal activities they will not be spared. She also asked the police to take action without considering the political colour the accused.

She said the sand mafia were involved in illegal excavation from the river bed. She asked the administration to take action against her party workers if they are involved in lifting of sand illegally.

It may be recalled that on Monday she said that anybody involved in antisocial activities irrespective of political colour would be taken to task. She said the sand mafia were involved in illegal excavation from river bed and said it would have to be stopped.

She said none of Trinamool Congress leaders or workers were involved in illegal sand lifting but maintained that action would be taken against her party workers if they were found to be involved in the matter.

“I know Trinamool Congress leaders and workers are not involved in illegal lifting of sand, but if anyone is caught, he/she will not be spared and stern action will be taken against him/her.”

The Chief Minister also instructed the top administrative officials not to spare the sand mafia and to take stringent action against them. She also reminded that there is cut money involved in it and she 

asked the police to probe into the incidents.