A team led by sub-divisional officer (SDO), Chas, Shashi Prakash Singh exposed illegal sand trade at Chandankiyari block of the district, near the Bengal border.

The team seized about 2.5 lakh cubic feet sand from about half-a-dozen small and big illegal depots on the banks of the Gawai and Damodar rivers. Seven illegal sand-laden tractors were also seized. The team included a mining officer.

An officer said it was yet to be ascertained whether these sand stocks mined illegally from the rivers were transported to Purulia district in Bengal.

Sources said the sand was sold in the Chandankyari area and transported to neighbouring Dhanbad and Purulia districts.

The sub-divisional officer told The Telegraph Online, “We have formed a quick response team to curb the illegal business of sand and coal mining in the area. In the past 72 hours we have conducted raids on the bank of the Gawai river in Seemabad under Amlabad police outpost and the Damodar river of Bhojudih under Chandankyari block. We also conducted a raid along the Damodar in Bathua under Chas block.”

The illegal sand mining is causing huge revenue loss to the state exchequer. The recovered sand will be auctioned soon once the process is completed.

“We will not tolerate crime in the area. An FIR has been lodged in this connection. The circle inspector of Chandankyari police station has been made custodian of the stock. Strict instructions have been given to the mining departments by the deputy commissioner of Bokaro to control this crime,” he said.

At the directive of the deputy commissioner, Bokaro, Mukesh Kumar, the SDO’s of Bermo and Chas have launched a massive drive to curb illegal sand mining in the district.

During the monsoon, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) bans sand mining in the rivers to protect the environment. However, the illegal trade had continued unabated. Frequent raids are now being conducted to curb the trade.District mining officer Gopal Kumar Das said they have stepped up vigil along the riverbanks.