"Such Incidents Keep Occurring": Bihar Minister On Sub-Inspector Mowed Down By Tractor Illegally Transporting Sand

Reacting to the murder of a police sub-inspector in Bihar's Jamui district, Minister Chandra Shekhar said, "Such incidents keep occurring" and questioned, "Is this a new incident? Is this the first time this has happened? Doesn't this happen in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh?"

The incident unfolded during an operation targeting the suppression of illegal sand mining within the jurisdiction of Garhi Police Station when the SI was mowed down by a tractor illegally transporting sand.

Police Sub-Inspector Prabhat Ranjan, a Siwan district resident, was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, as per police reports.

Calling the incident a crime, the Minister further said, "Offenders can't escape for much time. They will be nabbed and punishment will be given. This is what can be done."

A home guard, identified as Rajesh Kumar Sao, sustained severe injuries in the incident and is presently receiving medical attention at a local hospital, Hindustan Times reported.

The Jamui Superintendent of Police released a statement confirming the confiscation of the tractor involved in the incident and the identification of the suspected driver.

Jamui DSP Abhishek Kumar Singh stated, "A specialised raid team has been formed to apprehend the driver; he has been identified as a resident of Nawada district. His capture is imminent, and all those implicated in the incident will be apprehended shortly."

"Raids are underway by the special team dedicated to apprehending the driver," the official said. "Further actions are being taken at the incident site under the guidance of senior police officers."

The Bihar home department recently announced cash rewards for information on illegal sand mining, bootlegging, hate messages on social media, and cyber fraud leading to the culprits' arrests.

"Police will reward those aiding in the apprehension of criminals involved in illegal sand mining, bootlegging, cybercrime, and individuals/organizations spreading hate and intolerance on social media platforms," states the circular.

Instances of violent attacks by the sand mafia, resulting in injuries to policemen and senior officers, have been on the rise in districts such as Patna, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Saran, and Vaishali, according to a senior police officer quoted by PTI.