A sub-divisional magistrate, who was on an official duty to check illegal quarrying in Nalagarh area of Himachal Pradesh, had a narrow escape when a tractor-trailer loaded with quarry material tried to bang his official vehicle, when he tried to stop him, police informed. The incident took place on Thursday.
“SDM Yunus Khan was there to check illegal mining along with other officials. When he spotted two vehicles loaded with gravels and sand, he signaled them to stop. But one of the vehicles accelerated towards his vehicle to crush it”, Superintendent of Police S. Arul told.
“Driver of the vehicle Makhan Singh was arrested. He was allegedly involved in illegal mining”, he said.
“We got reports of other incidents also where illegal mining is being carried out. We are investigating the matter. More people will be booked once the investigation is over”, Arul added.
Officials said that the SDM’s vehicle overtook the tractor-trailer but instead of stopping it, the driver hit the SDM’s vehicle.
“The tractor driver in a bid to flee from the spot tried to crush the SDM’s vehicle with the sand,” an official said.
The illegal mining in the hill state is acute in areas adjoining Punjab border. Nalagarh areas where this incident took place is also located on Punjab border.