Sand mafia dug up to 3 km river: Mineral theft in Bena area of Khedbrahma

For the past three to four years, the sand mafia has established its empire in the Bena area of Nawamota village of Khedbrahma on the banks of the Sabarmati. Be it day or night, the rumble of machines and the rush of dumpers do not stop here. The local Adivasis are also whispering at the mention of names. A three-kilometre stretch of the river has become a sanctuary for the sand mafia. Such big Hitachi, turbo trucks, JCBs are not visible to the system. The big crocodiles of the river have been given open ground. According to the villagers who are scared of the mineral mafia, the sand theft law should be the same for all. On the one hand, the big mafia steals sand worth lakhs illegally by taking down machines. The river has been dug up for three kilometres and the sand is going to Rajasthan, which is against the law, but the steps of the Mines and Minerals Department or the police do not reach there. On the other hand, when a poor man in the village or a local tractor owner goes to collect two sand for government housing or for a small work, the hawk-eyed officials of the administration immediately strike and impose heavy fines.