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By Rohit Kumar Singh: Three mining officers, including two women, were attacked and assaulted when they went to conduct raids in Patna’s Maner area on Monday afternoon.
The Patna administration said a team from the mining department went to Koilwar bridge in Maner, 30 km away from Patna, as it had received complaints of illegal sand mining in the area.
According to officials in the Patna administration, a group of anti-social elements associated with the sand mafia attacked the team from the mining department with stones and sticks.
Several videos have gone viral, which show a group of people hurling abuses and pelting stones at the mining officers as they try to save their lives. One of the videos also shows a man dragging a woman officer by her hair and assaulting her.
Two woman mining inspectors—Amiya Kumari and Farheen—and district mining officer Gaurav Kumar, who was leading the search operation, have sustained injuries. They are currently undergoing treatment.
Immediately after receiving information about the case, Patna Police swung into action and arrested 44 people involved in the incident. Top officials of the district administration also reached the spot.
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Superintendent of Patna (West) Rajesh Kumar said raids were being conducted under the leadership of district mining officer, district transport officer and additional sub-divisional magistrate, Danapur, against overloading, illegal operation of vehicles and illegal mining in Bihta block in Maner when the anti-social elements pelted stones at them.
“On receiving information, the district magistrate of Patna immediately sent sub-divisional officer and sub-divisional police officer, Danapur, to the spot. We have seized about 50 vehicles. The district magistrate said legal action would be taken against all those involved in the incident,” said the SP.
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“The police have registered an FIR in the matter and have arrested 44 people so far. Some videos are going viral on social media. Some people have been arrested on the basis of the videos and efforts are on to nab the rest. Strict action will be taken against the vehicle owners and drivers,” said the police officer.
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