PRAYAGRAJ, May 26 -- The Prayagraj police seized 104 vehicles during a massive crackdown on illegal mining, overloading and unregistered vehicles across the city and Yamunanagar zones, tightening pressure on violators and the mining mafia. Acting on the directions of commissioner Jogendra Kumar, a special drive was carried out on Sunday in the City Zone. Teams from Puramufti, Airport, Cantonment, Georgetown and Jhunsi police stations seized nine trucks and dumpers found involved in illegal mining and overloading. Officials said strict monitoring is underway to check vehicles without proper documents and those transporting minerals beyond permitted limits. In the Yamunanagar Zone, a joint operation conducted by police, RTO, revenue and mining department officials on May 23 and 24 led to action against 95 vehicles. Thirty vehicles without number plates were also seized, with fines imposed on two cases. Police also registered a case against an individual caught carrying out illegal sand mining at Manpur Ghat in Lalapur. The police commissioner said the drive against illegal activities will continue. A joint team of Kareli Police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) has cracked a theft case reported from GTB Nagar within five days, arresting three accused and recovering stolen valuables, including gold and silver jewellery, a licenced revolver with cartridges, an iPhone and Rs 1,150. The accused were identified using CCTV footage and arrested on Monday near Murga Darbar in the Kachar area. Police said the case was registered on the complaint of Akhlaq Ahmed, a resident of Mohatsimganj, who reported the theft on May 21. Scanning CCTV footage from the area helped police identify and trace the suspects. The arrested men have been identified as Ismail Sheikh alias Pullu, Nadeem alias Laddu and Khajmuddin Sheikh alias Chhotu, also known as Kallu, all natives of Sahebganj in Jharkhand. They were living in a slum near Murga Darbar in Kareli. SHO of Kareli police station Ashish Singh said the trio used to survey locked houses during the day, posing as ragpickers or e-rickshaw drivers, and carried out thefts at night. Police said legal action has been initiated and the accused have been sent to jail following a court order. htc...