Crackdown on Illegal mining in Bihar: Women who met officials with stones handcuffed

Gaya: Bihar police on Tuesday arrested several villagers including women in Gaya district of Bihar after they clashed with police officers assisting government officials in the auction of sand mines.

As per a report by NDTV, the villagers purportedly protested against the auction of sand mines.

As villagers started throwing stones at them, the police resorted to mild lathi-charge, used water cannons, and burst tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

Talking to reporters, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) said, nine policemen were also injured as the villagers started hurling stones on them when they were assisting mining department officials in the auction of sand mines in Belaganz.

The injured law enforcers have been admitted to the district hospital.

Some villagers, including women, sustained minor injuries in the clashes, the police officer said.

The injured law enforcers have been admitted to the district hospital, he added.

A video showing men and women sitting on the ground, handcuffed, has sparked outrage online.

In a bid to tackle the illegal sand mining in the state, the Bihar State Mining Corporation had earlier this month initiated a process of conducting an environmental audit of all sand mining sites.

Private entities, which have been engaged to carry out the exercise, will use technology and drones to inspect the sandbanks.

Prices of sand in Bihar, already very high, have soared following the crackdown on illegal sand mining and officials involved in the racket.