Forest guard mowed down by sand mafia tractor while trying to stop illegal mining

BHOPAL: A forest guard on patrol was crushed to death under the wheels of a tractor-trolley ferrying illegally mined sand when he tried to stop it in Morena district early Wednesday, officials said.

The incident occurred on National Highway 552 between Rathol Ka Pura and Ranpur under Dimni police station limits. A Forest Department team from the Ambah Range was on patrol to curb illegal sand mining and transportation from Esaah Ghat along the Chambal river.

Forest guard Harikesh Gurjar intercepted a tractor-trolley loaded with sand when the driver allegedly ran him over and fled the spot with the vehicle. Gurjar died on the spot.

The deceased was a resident of Janakpur village under Saraychhola police station area of the district. He had recently been posted to the Ambah Range after being transferred from another district.

The patrol team shifted the body to the district hospital. Police reached the spot on receiving information, and family members of the deceased also arrived at the hospital along with forest officials.

Police said a case has been registered and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused and seize the vehicle.