K.K. Pathak's appointment as principal secretary, mines and geology, is being seen as an attempt by the government to tighten its screws on Bihar's illegal sand mafia.

The 1990-batch IAS officer has already authored one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in the state's history - the Bihar Prohibition Amendment Act 2016 - and clamped prohibition with an iron hand, leading to the arrest of over 13,000 people in five months till he left the department in September last year. He has ensured that the new law, which gives sweeping powers to police and excise officers, leaves no loopholes for prohibition violators.

Considered as a strict officer, he has now been brought to mines and geology department to implement mining laws strictly as well. Sources said it was a significant move considering blatant violation of mining laws because of nexus among the sand mafia, mining officials and police.

Pathak, the sources also said, loathes political interference in his work and was removed last year as principal secretary, excise, as he was upset over the Nalanda district administration taking action against an excise official who had arrested a JDU leader on the charge of storing liquor bottles in his house. He went on a long leave on health reasons and after his return, was waiting for posting.

There is, however, speculation whether Pathak will readily join his new assignment fearing interference in the mines department too. Pathak, who did not respond to calls from The Telegraph, did not join on Tuesday.

Mines and geology department's joint secretary Satish Kumar Singh said: "The general administration notification was issued on Monday night and it is most likely that he (Pathak) will join office on Wednesday."

Sources said the government has posted Pathak in the mines and geology department because it wants to break the nexus of sand mafia, mining officials and local police. Names of some politicians from the RJD camp have been unearthed in the past few days, sources said.

Patna police in the last three days carried out operations against the mafia in Maner and Bihta areas, considered a RJD bastion. Total 66 persons have been arrested and 349 vehicles seized along with Rs 5 lakh.

Sonu, nephew of Maner RJD MLA Bhai Birendra, is among those arrested on charges of illegal sand mining. There was strong speculation on Tuesday that the police have registered an FIR against Bhai Birendra too.

Inspector-general Nayyar Hasnain Khan said: "I have spoken to Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj, no FIR has been lodged against the RJD lawmaker."

RJD chief Lalu Prasad at a news meet on Tuesday strongly defended his legislator. "The police are unnecessary harassing my legislator as part of a political vendetta," Lalu said. "In the name of illegal sand mining the police are after Bhai Birendra."

Though the police didn't carry out any action on Tuesday, the Maner and Bihta areas were tensed with the deployment of several policemen. Khan said: "We have decided to reach the bottom of the case as earlier police action was limited to arrest of drivers and labourers. But this time we will reach the persons involved in the illegal sand mining."

The sand mafia, sources in the mines and geology department said, violates both environment and mining laws because mining the riverbed is prohibited during monsoon - July 1 to September 30 - and while labourers need to dig only 3 metres for mining sand, 8-10m is dug inviting hazards to the riverbed.