Sand mining: MP govt removes police officer for complicity

Madhya Pradesh government today removed Ajaygarh police station incharge for allegedly abetting illegal sand mining, two days after the mafia members attacked a police team at Chandipatha in Panna district, a top officer said.

Aslam Khan's alleged partnership with the sand mafia was disclosed to police during investigation of the arrested kingpin and former dacoit Kuber Singh who is accused of opening fire on a team comprising revenue and police officials at Chandipatha, about 80 km away from Panna two days back.

Kuber has alleged that Khan was having a partnership of nearly 60% in the illegal sand mining in the area.

"Following the revelation, Panna SP Anil Maheshwari line-attached (removed from field duty) Khan so that he cannot influence the probe in the matter," Chattarpur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ved Prakash Sharma told reporters.

The sand mafia in Panna district had erected a makeshift earthen bridge across the Ken river for transporting sand illegally to Uttar Pradesh which was later demolished by the team of revenue and police officials.

Besides Kuber, his accomplices Gambhir Singh, Ram Singh and two others, who are absconding, are booked for attack, police said.