Sand mafia attacks mining team, tries to run over police guard

At least 12 persons allegedly attacked a team of mining department officials today and tried to run over its police guard in Ayodhya town of the district. The mining department team raided a place at the bank of the Ghagra river after a tip-off and seized a dumper loaded with sand illegally dug, according to Ashish Dube, Faizabad district mining officer.

When they were taking the dumper to police station, about a dozen armed men intercepted them, the officer said. The men took possession of the dumper and when the police guard, who was with the team, tried to stop the criminals, they tried to run him over. "A case has been registered against 11 persons and the gang leader, Pawan Yadav, who was identified by the locals," said HN Mishra, SHO of Ayodhya Kotwali police station.

One member of the gang has been arrested, the SHO said.