Balrampur, May 12 – A police constable was tragically killed after being run over by a tractor involved in illegal sand mining operations in Chhattisgarh's Balrampur district, officials confirmed on Monday.
The incident occurred on Sunday in Libra village, located near the Kanhar River under Sanawal police station limits, close to the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border.
Police Team Targeted During Anti-Encroachment Operation
Constable Shiv Bhajan Singh was part of a police team dispatched to the area following reports of encroachment and illegal mining activity. Upon arriving at the site, the team discovered ongoing illegal sand excavation in the riverbed.While attempting to detain those engaged in the unlawful activity, Singh was run over by a tractor that was transporting illegally mined sand. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
SHO Suspended for Negligence
In the aftermath of the incident, Divyakant Pandey, the Station House Officer of Sanawal police station, was suspended for dereliction of duty.Authorities are actively investigating the case, and efforts are underway to identify the tractor's driver and owner, who fled the scene following the incident.
The police have intensified their probe into the illegal sand mining operations in the region, which have become a recurring concern in parts of Chhattisgarh.