Suspension of sand mining operation

A Correspondent

Hailakandi, May 24: Sand mining operation has been temporarily suspended in four units across Hailakandi district following a probe. Instituting the probe at the direction of the Minister for Environment and Forest and the Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi, the Divisional Forest Officer, NH Mazumder found huge stacking of sand by Katakhal sand mining units 1, 2 and 4 and Dhaleswari mining unit 1. Around 23,063 cubic meters of sand were seized that were illegally dumped at different points at Bajemara and other areas across the district.

Meanwhile, DFO, Mazumder has directed the Range Forest Officer, Panchgram to lodge FIR against the lessee of Katakhal sand mining unit No.1 and his attorney for not furnishing documents on the storage of huge quantity of sand illegally and for non-submission of annual returns till date. Three sand laden trucks were seized at Katakhal and are now under the custody of the police. Three persons were nabbed by the forest personnel when they were cutting trees in a reserved forest at Gaglacherra area. They were handed over to the police and were produced in the session court on Thursday.