Sand Mafia nailed: 656 held, material worth Rs 69 cr seized, so far
| Date :26-Dec-2024 |
By Dheeraj Fartode :
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MPDA against repeated offenders: SP Dr Poddar
Superintendent of Police (SP) Nagpur Rural, Dr Harssh Poddar, stated that 2024 was primarily a law and order year due to bandobast for two major elections. Despite this, they successfully managed to dismantle the sand mafias. They are now maintaining all records, and MPDA action will be initiated against repeated offenders, he added.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Nagpur Rural, Dr Harssh Poddar, stated that 2024 was primarily a law and order year due to bandobast for two major elections. Despite this, they successfully managed to dismantle the sand mafias. They are now maintaining all records, and MPDA action will be initiated against repeated offenders, he added.
In a major crackdown to
curb illegal sand mining and transportation, the Nagpur Rural Police have registered 302 cases, arrested 656 persons,
and seized 361 vehicles between January and November 2024. The total value of the material seized during this period is
estimated at an impressive
Rs 69.79 crore.
When compared to the data of the year 2023, the statistics reveal a dramatic rise in police action. In the entire year of 2023, the police had registered 194 cases, arrested 372 accused, and seized 208 vehicles, with the total value of the seized material amounting to Rs 30.20 crore.
The sharp increase in the number of cases, arrests, and seizures underlined the growing efforts by the Nagpur Rural Police to tackle the illegal sand mining crisis, which has long plagued the district.
A senior police official attributed the rise in figures to heightened vigilance, increased operations and coordinated efforts.
“The sand mafia has been operating in these rural areas for years, often backed by powerful criminal syndicates,” said the official.
The official reported that the highest number of sand theft cases was registered in the areas of Ramtek, Mauda, Aroli, Umred, and Bhiwapur, with illegal sand excavation detected in locations like Khaparkheda, Khapa, Parseoni, Deopalar, and Kanhan. In addition to these local hotspots, sand is also being smuggled from neighbouring regions, including Paoni in Bhandara district and areas in Madhya Pradesh.
Despite the surge in police action, the illegal sand mining business remains a major source of income for several criminal groups, many of whom have invested their earnings in the real estate sector.
The growing nexus between the sand mafia and local politics has further complicated efforts to dismantle the network.
The increase in seizures and arrests reflects only the tip of the iceberg in the battle against illegal sand mining. The police face numerous challenges, including the lack of resources and the political influence that allows the sand mafia to operate their business.
The surge in illegal mining activities, especially in rural areas with easy access to riverbeds like the Kanhan River, has raised challenges of the environmental impact too.
Sand mafia flourishes amidst illegal mining
Illegal sand mining has been a persistent issue in Nagpur city for decades, particularly in areas surrounding the Kanhan River. The quality of sand from the river is highly prized in the construction market, which fuels a robust black market. Over the last two decades, several sand mafia operators from Khaparkheda, Saoner, Ramtek, and Mauda have built fortunes. Many of these operators have invested their illicit earnings in the real estate sector.
One infamous sand mafia kingpin from Khaparkheda managed to evade arrest for nearly three years after being booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MOCA).
Sources reveal that the mafia managed to launder major portions of their illicit income into real estate and agricultural land.
The police have long suspected that without political patronage, it would be nearly impossible for the sand mafia to operate with such impunity.
The illegal trade is believed to have cost the Government crores of rupees in lost revenue.
Increasing audacity
of sand mafia
The audacity of the sand mafia has reached alarming levels in recent months. In a shocking incident in January 2024, a group of sand smugglers attempted to run over a woman police official after she and her team seized eight vehicles involved in illegal sand transportation during a routine check near Ramtek in Nagpur district. The incident underlined the growing brazenness of the sand mafia, who are increasingly resorting to violent measures to protect their operations.
Moreover, it has recently come to light that the sand mafia has gone so far as to construct a small bridge across the Kanhan River to facilitate the illegal transportation of sand directly from the riverbed. This new tactic showed the extent to which the mafia is willing to go in order to maintain their lucrative operation.
