Morena (MP), April 8 A 35-year-old forest guard was killed after a tractor-trolley, allegedly driven by illegal sand miners, ran over him in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday morning, police said.
The incident took place on National Highway-552 near Ranpur village, about 20 km from the district headquarters, when forest personnel attempted to stop a sand-laden tractor-trolley, police said.
Additional Superintendent of Police Surendra Singh Dawar told reporters that forest guard Harkesh Gurjar, a member of the patrol team, attempted to stop the vehicle, but its driver ran him over, killing him on the spot.
He said the driver, who was illegally transporting sand from Aisah ghat along the Chambal river, fled the scene after the incident.
A case has been registered at the Dimni police station, and efforts are being made to trace the absconding driver, the official said.
The forest guard, a resident of Janakpur village in Morena, had recently been transferred to his home district.
Leader of Opposition in the MP Assembly Umang Singhar condemned the incident, alleging that law and order in the state has collapsed.
“The murder of forest guard Harkesh Gurjar by the sand mafia in Morena shows criminals no longer fear the law. The illegal mining mafia is killing law enforcers in broad daylight while the government remains a mute spectator,” he said.
The incident reflects failure of governance and protection of criminals, he said.
Singhar demanded that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav take immediate cognizance and ensure strict action against the accused.
State BJP president Hemant Khandelwal also decried the incident and said he would speak to the CM to ensure strict action. Khandelwal, who was in Morena for organisational meetings, told reporters that a campaign would be launched across the state against such mafias.
He added that action would also be taken against party leaders making statements in support of such elements.
