Gaya, January 17. Following strict directives from the Bihar government to combat illegal mining, authorities in Gaya district have conducted a significant operation against illegal mining, transportation, and storage, resulting in the seizure of 24 tractors along with their trolleys over the past 24 hours.
Under the guidance of the District Magistrate, continuous raids have been carried out against illegal mining activities. On January 16 and 17, multiple police stations conducted coordinated operations. In the Bodh Gaya police station jurisdiction, two tractors were seized during a joint raid by officials from the mining and police departments at the village of Titoya, while one tractor managed to escape.
Cases were registered against the three seized tractors, with fines totaling ₹3.30 lakh imposed. Similarly, during a raid in the Paraiya police station area, two tractors involved in illegal mining were confiscated, leading to a registered case and a fine of ₹2.20 lakh.
In collaboration with the Bhadeva police station, another tractor and a motorcycle involved in illegal operations were seized, incurring a fine of ₹1.10 lakh. Meanwhile, in the Muffasil police station area near the banks of the Falgu river, a joint operation was conducted against illegal mining, transportation, and storage by mining officials and the police.
Upon noticing the raid team, illegal miners fled the scene, but 18 tractors were seized and brought to the Muffasil police station. Formal cases were registered against the owners and drivers of the vehicles. Due to the illegal extraction of sand from the river area, fines amounting to approximately ₹1.09 crore were imposed on the illegal miners, along with fines of about ₹18 lakh on the tractors.
A mining department official stated that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found involved in illegal mining, transportation, and storage, leading to formal cases being filed.
