Rajkot: 16 arrested for illegal sand mining in Jamnagar

RAJKOT: As many as 16 persons were arrested for the alleged theft of sand estimated to run into crores of rupees from Balambha village of Jodiya taluka in Jamnagar district on Tuesday evening.
Police said the accused were illegally excavating the sand from the bed of a government’s waste land on the outskirts of Balambha village.
“We have booked the accused for illegal excavation of sand and informed the state mines and mineral department. We have seized three earth movers, nine dumpers, two tractors along with two trolleys, all worth Rs 1.50 crore,” said V B Chauhan, sub-inspector with Rajkot rapid response cell.
Those arrested included Himir Pithmal, Suresh Jadav, Ashok Basia, Jitu Vaghora, Ghanubha Jadeja and Jagdishsinh Jadeja.
“Our investigation has revealed that the accused used to transport the stolen sand to Rajkot and Jamnagar,” added Chauhan.