Dhubri sand mining enforcement turned tense in Assam after two Forest Department personnel were allegedly assaulted and a seized sand-laden dumper was forcibly taken away during an operation in Dhubri district on September 1.
The incident took place near Gauripur during an anti-illegal mining drive. According to the Forest Department, officials had intercepted the vehicle after its driver failed to produce the required documents for transporting sand.
Dhubri sand mining operation leads to seizure
A patrol team from the Dhubri Forest Check Station intercepted the dumper near Balodmara Petrol Pump at about 7:28 pm, officials said. The vehicle, bearing registration number NL-02-AC-0077, was allegedly carrying sand.
The driver, identified as Ashadul Sheikh of Kokrajhar district, reportedly failed to produce a valid Electronic Transit Pass or other documents required under the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules.
As a result, the Forest Department seized the dumper and assigned Forest Guard Rantu Pathak and fixed-pay staff member Alimuddin Sheikh to escort it to a designated safe-custody location at the Old Social Forestry Office Campus in Gauripur.
Seized dumper intercepted near Gauripur
However, the situation changed while the vehicle was being escorted. At around 7:56 pm, a white Bolero allegedly intercepted the seized dumper near Gauripur Jatiya Bidyalaya in the Narisamiti area.
According to the complaint filed by the Forest Department, a person identified as Hasen was allegedly driving the Bolero. The complaint states that he directed the dumper driver to unload the sand on the road.
During the alleged forced unloading, the dumper collided with an electric pole. The impact reportedly snapped overhead live wires and damaged electrical infrastructure in the area.
The incident also caused a power disruption, while several nearby households reportedly suffered damage to electrical appliances following a power surge.
Forest officials allegedly attacked
Amid the confusion and the danger posed by live wires, the two forest personnel accompanying the seized vehicle were allegedly attacked.
Forest Guard Rantu Pathak was allegedly assaulted and thrown out of the moving dumper, according to the complaint. Alimuddin Sheikh was also allegedly beaten and verbally abused while carrying out his official duties.
The attackers allegedly removed the sand from the dumper before leaving the area in the Bolero. The seized vehicle was subsequently taken away from Forest Department custody.
The allegations have not been established in court, and the police investigation is continuing.
Dhubri sand mining case reaches police
Forester-1 Sahabaz Sultan of the Dhubri Forest Check Station lodged a complaint with Gauripur Police Station following the incident.
The complaint seeks registration of a case and action against those allegedly involved. It lists allegations involving assault on public servants, obstruction of government officials in the discharge of their duties, damage to public property and the illegal removal of seized property.
Meanwhile, Gauripur Police have begun investigating the incident. Police are also working to identify and apprehend those allegedly involved in the confrontation and removal of the seized dumper.
Enforcement faces fresh challenge
The episode highlights the risks faced by enforcement teams during action against suspected illegal mineral transportation. In this case, officials had first seized the vehicle after the driver allegedly failed to show documents required for transporting sand.
However, the subsequent alleged assault and removal of the vehicle have raised concerns over the ability of field personnel to secure seized vehicles until they reach designated custody locations.
Dhubri has previously faced concerns linked to illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals. Therefore, enforcement operations require coordination between forest officials, police and other authorities, particularly when seized vehicles have to be moved through populated areas.
For now, the Gauripur investigation will determine what happened during the confrontation and identify those responsible, if the allegations are substantiated. The Forest Department’s complaint and the police inquiry will also establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged removal of the seized dumper.
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