Sand mafia fires at officials probing illegal mining in Madhya Pradesh

Panna, Madhya Pradesh:  Just two days after an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was allegedly killed by the mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh, officials probing illegal mining were fired at by the sand mafia in the state's Panna district today. The officials, however, managed to escape unhurt.
Alleged members of the sand mafia fired at the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) and sub-divisional officer (Police). The incident took place at Chandipati village in Ajaygarh area of Panna, over 400 km from Bhopal. The area is situated on the Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border.
"Along with SDOP, town inspector and some policemen, we were heading towards the area from where the mafia illegally transport sand. But soon, they started firing at us. We also fired a few rounds in retaliation. We are safe and have demanded more forces, which is reaching the spot," SDM NA Gaud told IANS from the site of the incident.
The SDM said he suspected former dacoit Kuber Singh, who now conducts illegal transportation of sand, as having led the group that fired at them.
Superintendent of police Anal Maheshwari has rushed to the spot.
On Thursday, 30-year-old IPS officer Narendra Kumar was killed when a man driving a tractor ran over him. Mr Kumar had tried to stop the tractor, which was loaded with illegally-mined stones in the Morena district. Mr Kumar spotted the tractor while he was out patrolling. When the driver refused to stop, Mr Kumar got out of his jeep and blocked the tractor's path. The driver ploughed into him. Morena district is rich in stones meant for construction and the sand here is one of the finest in the country. Mr Kumar's family has alleged that his killing was a well-planned conspiracy.
(With IANS inputs)

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Madhya Pradesh: Sand mafia kingpin arrested for firing at officials probing illegal mining

Bhopal:  Police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested an alleged sand mafia kingpin and former dacoit Kuber Singh in connection with the firing on policemen and other officials on Friday. And in a related development, contracts of 14 sand mines allegedly indulging in illegal mining have also been cancelled.
"Kuber Singh had been taken in custody on Friday night by the police in Panna. He is being interrogated," Deputy Inspector General (Chattarpur) Ved Praksh said.
Kuber Singh and his gang had allegedly opened fire on a team of sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), sub-divisional officer (police), town inspector and other policemen on Friday when they had gone to stop illegal sand transportation in Chandipati village of Ajaygarh area. No one was hurt in the incident.
The firing incident happened exactly a day after a 30-year-old IPS officer, Narendra Kumar, was killed when a man driving a tractor ran over him. Mr Kumar had tried to stop the tractor, which was loaded with illegally-mined stones in the Morena district. Mr Kumar spotted the tractor while he was out patrolling. When the driver refused to stop, Mr Kumar got out of his jeep and blocked the tractor's path. The driver ploughed into him. Mr Kumar's family has alleged that his killing was a well-planned conspiracy.
Morena district is rich in stones meant for construction and the sand here is one of the finest in the country.
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