A shocking incident of violence linked to illegal sand mining has occurred in the West Singhbhum district, leading to the death of a young protester. Deepak Pradhan was fatally run over by a tractor in Mundai village, Jaitgarh OP police station area, while attempting to prevent the illegal transport of sand. This brazen act has intensified the long-standing conflict between locals and the sand mafia.
In a display of solidarity and grief, villagers blocked a road on Friday with Deepak Pradhan’s body, protesting against the pervasive illegal mining and the administration’s perceived failure to act. Police were deployed to the site and successfully controlled the situation. The tractor involved in the incident has been seized by the authorities, and the victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem to Chaibasa Sadar Hospital. Investigations are active, but no arrests have been reported yet.
Jagannathpur station house officer Avinash Kumar confirmed the tractor’s seizure and stated that the investigation is proceeding with utmost seriousness. He noted that Deepak Pradhan had actively opposed illegal sand mining, and initial reports suggest his death was an accident that occurred while he was intervening with the vehicle. Many locals claim that illegal sand mining and its associated trade have been flourishing unchecked for years, with sand mafias operating fearlessly. Concerns have been raised about the lack of effective action from the police and mining departments, which allegedly fosters the confidence of illegal operators. The community is demanding immediate justice and a permanent solution to curb illegal sand mining in the region.