Bihar govt asks districts to intensify crackdown on illegal sand mining

Patna: The Bihar government directed the district authorities to intensify the crackdown on illegal sand mining in the state, officials said on Thursday.

The state Mines and Geology Department also directed district mining officers to initiate legal proceedings against registered brick kiln owners who have not paid outstanding dues and royalties to the government for years, they said.

“The department has directed the district authorities of Bhagalpur, Saran, Nawada, Rohtas, Aurnagabad, Bhojpur and Gaya to intensify the crackdown on illegal sand mining.

Officials concerned have been directed to constitute a dedicated team to conduct raids,” Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Mines and Geology Parmar Ravi Manubhai told reporters.

Actions must be taken against mafias involved in illegal sand mining, he said.

In Bhojpur, night-long raids were conducted from Tuesday evening by the district administration and police on the bank of the Sone river near Suraundhaand.

In the raids, which began around 3 pm on Tuesday and went on till 6 am on Wednesday, nine poclain machines were seized, and a fine of Rs 6.30 crore was imposed on the owners of these machines.