SDM fired at by suspected sand mafia members

Mon, May 17 03:32 PM

Ghaziabad, May 17 (PTI) Suspected members of a sand mining mafia today fired at a sub-divisional magistrate when he tried to stop them from indulging in the illegal activity in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. SDM Sunil Kumar escaped unhurt in the attack which took place this morning when he was in Tankaur, 50 kms from here, to check illegal mining of sand in Yamuna river, District Magistrate, Bulandshahr, Shashi Bhushan Lal Susheel told PTI. The SDM said he was surrounded by a group of nearly 12 people when he tried to stop a tractor-trolley and they rammed the vehicle into his jeep five times.

Later they fired at him. He claimed his gunner who was armed with a rifle could not open fire as a large number of people had gathered at the site.

No one was hurt in the incident but the SDM''s car was damaged. The District Magistrate alleged that the attack was carried out at the behest of the sand mafia which was involved in the illegal trade SSP Nilesh Kumar said that effort were on to arrest the assailants.