BALURGHAT, May 12 -- Following the change in political power in West Bengal, the administration in South Dinajpur has intensified its crackdown on illegal sand mining from riverbeds across the district. With police and administrative surveillance tightened at the ghats of the Atreyee River in Balurghat, alleged sand mafias have reportedly adopted new tactics to evade detection.
According to sources, several tractors transporting illegally extracted sand were seen displaying "Jai Shri Ram" slogans or carrying BJP flags in an apparent attempt to avoid suspicion during transportation. However, officials of the Land and Land Reforms Department foiled the strategy during a surprise operation on Monday and seized a tractor allegedly involved in sand smuggling.
Officials said that smugglers often manage to flee after receiving alerts from informers whenever departmental vehicles enter riverbank areas. To counter this, a team led by Balurghat BLRO Ranendranath Mondal conducted a covert raid using motorcycles instead of official vehicles.
The administration has increased monitoring in remote areas such as Patiram, Pugliganj, Rajapur and Fatepur, making it clear that no political affiliation would shield those involved in illegal activities. A Block Land Reforms Officer said: "Those who resumed sand theft, taking advantage of the election-related engagements, will now face regular secret operations."
Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that a section of the sand mafia is attempting to project itself under the banner of the saffron camp after the political transition in the state. However, district BJP leaders have distanced themselves from such activities.
South Dinajpur district BJP general secretary Bapi Sarkar stated that the party would not tolerate any illegal activity being carried out using party flags or religious slogans.
He also urged the police and administration to take the strictest possible action against those tarnishing the party's image through unlawful acts.
Local residents believe that illegal sand extraction has increased because leases for several river ghats in the district have not been renewed for a long time.
While the absence of legal leases is causing major revenue losses to the government, unchecked sand lifting is also disturbing the ecological balance of the rivers. Observers feel that granting legal leases for the river ghats at the earliest could both curb smuggling and increase government revenue.
At present, police personnel and civic volunteers have been deployed at several ghats along the Atreyee River to maintain strict vigilance against illegal sand transportation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.