Gaya: Illegal sand mining is rampant on the banks of Bhalua river under the jurisdiction of Barachatti police station area of the district.

Though there is no authorised mining point in the river, reports reaching the district headquarters say that about 2,500 tonnes of sand are illegally mined in the river everyday. The sand, as per reports, is then dumped in nearby areas of neighbouring Jharkhand.

The illegal mining operations, according to sources, are conducted in connivance of the local police. Sand mining is not allowed in the Bhalua river for ecological reasons. Local sand users have to get sand either from Dobhi or Mohanpur police station area.

When contacted, Gaya senior superintendent of police (SSP) Garima Malik, said: "Though complaints of illegal mining had been received from several parts of the district, no specific complaint of illegal mining has been received from areas under the jurisdiction of Barachatti police station."

"All complaints of illegal sand mining have been taken very seriously and one junior police officer has also been suspended in this connection," she added.

She assured to get the matter probed and if the complaints of illegal sand mining in Bhalua river are found to be true, stern action would be taken against the wrongdoers.

"If any police officer is found patronising illegal sand mining, he too would be severely punished," said the SSP. While not ruling out the involvement of the local police, the SSP said she will act as per the law.