Morena (Madhya Pradesh) [India], March 21: The Forest Department officials have filed a complaint against unknown individuals for forcibly taking away a tractor seized in connection with illegal sand mining in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh.
The incident occurred on March 18 in the Ambah region. A team from the Forest Department intercepted a tractor-trolley filled with illegally mined sand. However, as the driver attempted to flee, the trolley overturned. The team managed to remove the tractor from the overturned trolley and was in the process of transporting it to the Ambah police station when around 10 unidentified individuals on motorcycles arrived. The individuals reportedly threatened the officials with weapons and took the tractor by force.
Superintendent of National Chambal Sanctuary, Morena, Bhura Gaikwad, explained, “A team under my leadership, including staff from Ambah, Morena, and Jaura, was carrying out a mission to prevent illegal sand mining. During this operation, a tractor involved in illegal sand mining was spotted near Ambah. When our Ambah team attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated to escape and caused the trolley to overturn. Due to the overturned trolley, we detached the tractor and were bringing it to the Ambah police station.”
Gaikwad continued, “However, on the way, around 10 individuals on bikes stopped our team and threatened them with weapons, forcing them to hand over the tractor. Despite our efforts to file an FIR at the Ambah police station, it was not registered. We have submitted a written application, and an investigation is currently underway.”
The Forest Department has urged the authorities to take appropriate action in the matter.