Kharibari, 29th July: BJP workers intercepted a truck allegedly transporting sand illegally through Kharibari Bazaar late on Tuesday night. The incident comes despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) prohibition on sand extraction from riverbeds.
According to reports, BJP workers stopped the truck after suspecting that sand was being extracted despite the ban on riverbed mining. During questioning, they allegedly found discrepancies between the driver’s statements and the vehicle’s documents. Police from Kharibari Police Station later reached the spot, examined the matter and detained four persons, including the truck driver.
On receiving information, Land and Land Reforms Officer Pratima Subba and other officials arrived at the scene. After examining the truck’s documents, they reportedly found irregularities and said strict legal action would be taken in accordance with the law. They also said similar enforcement drives would continue in the coming days.
Phansidewa MLA Durga Murmu, along with several BJP leaders, also reached the spot. The MLA reviewed the situation on the ground and held an urgent meeting with the Officer-in-Charge of Kharibari Police Station and Land and Land Reforms Officer Pratima Subba.
Expressing strong concern over the alleged illegal activities, Durga Murmu said government directives and the National Green Tribunal’s order clearly prohibit sand extraction from riverbeds. He stated that illegal sand transportation and dumping were continuing in Kharibari and nearby areas despite the ban and asserted that such activities would not be be tolerated.