Bihar dept to form dedicated force to curb illegal sand mining

Patna, Dec 31 (PTI) The Mines and Geology Department of Bihar has decided to create its own “dedicated force” to curb illegal sand mining and transportation of minerals in the state, a senior official said.

Assistant sub-inspectors and constables will be part of the ‘mining police’, she said.

“To check illegal sand mining, exploitation and transportation of minerals in the state, we have decided to create our own force. We are discussing the modalities and other aspects, and will soon send a detailed proposal to the competent authority for the final approval,” Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Mines Commissioner, Mines and Geology Department, told PTI.

Senior officials will lead the mining police’ teams, which would be fully armed, Bamhrah said.

“The state has been witnessing incidents of violent attacks by the sand mafia, injuring policemen and senior officers in areas like Patna, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Saran and Vaishali districts,” she said.

Another reason behind the move is that the department does not get adequate personnel from the state police for carrying out operations to check illegal mining, as they are engaged in other important duties, the official said.

Against the sanctioned strength of 315 home guards for the department, it has been currently provided with only 190 guards, and 138 Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel against the sanctioned strength of 269, she said.

“In certain districts, the department has its own inspectors, placed under the district collector,” said another senior official.

The sand ghats of river Sone in Rohtas, Bhojpur and Aurangabad districts of Bihar and adjacent Garhwa and Palamu districts of Jharkhand are revered for its quality, attracting the sand mafia, officials said.

At least 28 persons have reportedly been killed in mafia gang wars to control the illegal trade during the last two years, they said.