Video reached officials, mineral staff seized a JCB and dumper.

Despite the government and administration’s efforts, illegal excavation of gravel and other minerals continues unabated across the district. Even on Sunday, a mining mafia was illegally excavating gravel using a JCB and dumper on the prohibited Shankargarh hill. Someone filmed the excavation and sent it to Collector Ashutosh Awasthi and Mineral Department officials via WhatsApp. Upon seeing the video, Collector Ashutosh Awasthi directed District Mineral Officer R.S. Uike to take action. He, along with Mineral Inspector Ajay Mishra and Inspector Ramesh Solanki, enlisted the help of the Industrial Area Police Station and proceeded directly to Shankargarh hill, where a JCB and dumper were found illegally excavating. The team surrounded the area, seized both vehicles, and parked them at the BNP police station. Upon investigation, it was revealed that both vehicles belonged to a contractor named Jeevan Yadav, who had previously been caught engaging in illegal mining. District Mineral Officer R.S. Uike stated that every effort is being made to stop illegal mining and that whenever we receive information about it, we rush to the spot and take action without delay.