Sariya (Giridih): On information about illegal mining of sand from Keshwari Barsoti river ghat in Sariya police station area of Giridih district of Jharkhand, a team led by CO Santosh Kumar arrived to conduct a raid on Friday. Sariya Police was also included in the team. Meanwhile, the team’s eyes fell on three sand-laden tractors from the Barsoti river. As soon as the team tried to stop the sand-laden tractor, suddenly a large number of villagers arrived and got into a tussle with the officials. Within no time, about 100-150 people gathered near Keshwari Chowk and started raising slogans against the administrative officials. Saria police station watchman cum driver Chhotalal Thakur got injured in stone pelting, while others suffered minor injuries. During this time a tractor driver has been arrested.
stone pelting lasted for half an hour
During sloganeering, some villagers suddenly started pelting bricks and stones while using abusive words. The commotion and stone pelting continued for about half an hour. In this, Chhotalal Thakur, the watchman of Sariya police station and the driver of the police station vehicle, was injured. Others also suffered minor injuries. Seeing the matter escalating, the crowd present dispersed. During this time, people ran away with two tractors, while the team confiscated one tractor and brought it to Sariya police station. The driver of a tractor, Indradev Birhor, was arrested. CO Santosh Kumar said that the people and tractor owner involved in the said incident are being identified. A written application will be given to Sariya police station for action. Information about the matter has been given to Sariya SDO and DC. The campaign against illegal mining and transportation of sand will continue in future also. On the other hand, after seeing the CO’s vehicle near Sevabandh, a tractor carrying illegal sand overturned in an attempt to drive away. The driver jumped and ran away.
Panchayat representatives protested against the administration’s action
In this regard, Deputy Chief Ramdev Yadav, Chief Ajay Yadav and Ashok Turi said that Abuva Housing, 15th Finance and other government schemes are running in Sariya block area. It requires sand. People also build their own houses. There is no tender for sand ghat in the area yet. In such a situation, sand is being taken directly from the river and is being used in these schemes, so why is there so much fuss being made. The Panchayat representatives here oppose this action and demand that sand should not be banned in Sariya block. He also said that there should be a stop to the sand being taken out of Sariya and it should be controlled, but action should not be taken at the local level.
What does the police station in charge say?
Sariya police station in-charge Arvind Kumar Singh said that the villagers of Keshwari did not attack the watchman but attacked me. Every person of Sariya police station is his family. Action will be taken against the culprits.