JORABAT, March 9 - Acting on a tip-off, forest officials from Sonapur launched an operation today in Pub-Malaibari near Khetri and demolished several illegal sand-mining sites, officials said.
Ten sand-mining sites along the Kolong river were demolished with an earth-mover. Two sand-mining pump sets were recovered during the operation and later destroyed. This was the third operation against illegal sand mining within a few days, but the sand mafia manages to conduct their operations time and again.
Residents expressed concern, saying the sand-laden trucks are damaging the roads along the river bank. A villager said the trucks have damaged the roads and people fear landslides may occur during the coming rainy season which may badly affect the area's connectivity with the rest of the state.
