Jaipur, Oct. 9 -- Rajasthan chief secretary V Srinivas has directed officials to ensure the timely provision of weapons and vehicles to forest personnel deployed in vulnerable areas of Rajasthan's National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary and called for a joint action plan to curb illegal sand mining, amid a series of attacks on frontline personnel confronting mining operators.

Chairing a state-level coordination and monitoring committee meeting convened on the directions of the Supreme Court, Srinivas stressed a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal mining, stronger field patrolling and inspections of vulnerable areas by senior officers. He also directed departments to coordinate their efforts and submit compliance reports on time.

The dire...