Cop run over by tractor while chasing sand mafia in Balrampur

Raipur: A police constable was allegedly killed after being run over by a tractor driven by members of the sand mafia in Sanawal village of Balrampur police in Chhattisgarh.

The constable was reportedly chasing a tractor on the run, when another tractor involved in sand mining from Kanhar river, escalated from behind and ran over the cop.

Surguja range IG Deepak Jha has ordered a probe into the matter and has suspended the inspector who led the team of cops that went for investigation to the spot, based on a tip-off on Sunday late.

Such incidents of sand mafia going violent are not common in Chhattisgarh.

Speaking to the TOI, Surguja range inspector general of police Deepak Jha said that the incident took place late Sunday night, when a police patrol team, accompanied by forest department officials, was conducting a raid for a forest related issue but got a tip-off about illegal sand mining and transport going on near Kanhar River, which borders Jharkhand.

"When the officials reached the spot, they found three tractors and spotting the police, the tractor driver and their accomplices hurriedly tried to escape by escalating their vehicles. The team ran after them when the constable Shiv Bachan Singh, in a bid to chase a tractor came under the tyres of another coming from behind. Now, if it was a deliberate act or an accident, is a matter of probe," the IG said.

The deceased constable Shiv Bachan Singh (43), was a resident of Dhamni village and a posted at Sanawal police station.

According to sources, as he attempted to stop one of the tractors engaged in illegal sand transport, the driver accelerated deliberately, hitting Singh with force. He suffered critical internal injuries and succumbed en route to Ramanujganj Community Health Center, where doctors later declared him dead.

Sources said that it was not an accident—the constable was intentionally targeted. Just two days earlier, the local police had seized three tractors involved in similar activities, likely prompting the mafia's vengeful response.

Though the IG said that it was a matter of investigation and has not affirmed to such claims. He said that Sanawal police station in-charge Divya Kant Pandey was suspended and police have detained one suspect.

The constable's body has been sent for post mortem and a search was launched to catch hold of the accused.

The Kanhar river area has reportedly become a hotbed for large-scale illegal sand mining, allegedly led by smugglers from neighboring states.

Villagers had been opposing the activity due to its environmental and legal ramifications.

It's a matter of investigation on who gave the tip-off to police and if at all the whole scene was staged in advance to target the policemen.