Illegal sand mining continues along the Yamuna banks here, with the Noida Police recently catching a large number of miners red-handed.
On Sunday evening, two teams of Noida Police – one led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Vijay Dhull and the other by the Station House Officer of Kasna police station – encountered illegal sand mining in Greater Noida after they received information about the same.
“When the team led by the SHO caught the miners red-handed, they asked them to stop as they were surrounded. However, the miners fired at the team and in the confusion most of them managed to escape,” said Mr. Dhull.
One arrestedThe miners escaped into Haryana, either by swimming across the river or running towards the border, said the officer. He added that one person had been arrested and there were no serious injuries to the police team. One country-made weapon, live cartridges, four excavators and nine tractor trolleys were also confiscated, said the ASP.
He added that since the stakes were so high – each excavator costs Rs. 30 lakh – the illegal miners resort to firing quite often, forcing the police to return the fire in self-defence.
The Noida Police has been carrying out regular drives against the illegal sand mining mafia, but has not been able to stop the unauthorised activity. “We keep getting information, but by the time we form teams and get to the spot, the miners escape. It is difficult, but we are constantly cracking down on them,” said Mr. Dhull.
