HT Digital,
Bilashipara, Nov 25: A tense situation erupted on Nov 25 in the Char area of Bilasipara after a forest ranger and his team were allegedly attacked by a group of sand mafia while attempting to carry out an operation against illegal sand mining. The incident sparked widespread concern across the region as officers were targeted while on duty.
According to Salkocha Range Officer Pabitra Roy, illegal sand extraction has been rampant in the Bilasipara Char area for a long time, with groups of sand smugglers mining riverbeds and running a thriving unlawful trade. Acting on a reliable tip-off, Roy led a team of forest staff to Nayeralga Second Part village early in the morning to conduct an operation.
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During the raid, the team spotted a tractor loaded with illegal sand and signalled the driver to stop. Instead of complying, the driver reportedly sped up, forcing the officials to dodge the vehicle to save themselves. The team chased the tractor and found it overturned in a nearby field, after which the driver fled the scene.
As the forest team prepared to seize the vehicle, nearly a hundred people, allegedly led by the sand mafia, surrounded and confined the officials. The mob also vandalised the AS 16 N 4347 Bolero vehicle used by the team, leaving it badly damaged.
Upon receiving information, police teams from Bilasipara and Nayeralga rushed to the spot and rescued Range Officer Roy and his staff. The overturned tractor was also brought to Nayeralga police station for legal action.
Range Officer Roy subsequently filed an FIR against those involved in the attack. Authorities are now investigating the case, and locals are watching closely to see what action the police will take against the accused. The assault on government staff performing their duty has triggered sharp reactions across the area.
