Patna: Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Mines and Geology, Vijay Kumar Sinha, has warned that strict action will be taken against police personnel involved in aiding the illegal sand trade, following fresh complaints that unregistered sand-laden tractors continue to move freely in several police station areas. He said the home department has been instructed to play an active role in ensuring accountability across all levels of policing.
Speaking in Patna on Thursday, Sinha described the reports as “concerning”, saying the government’s monitoring efforts were being undermined by lapses on the ground. District magistrates and superintendents of police have been directed to identify sensitive locations and conduct immediate raids as part of a targeted crackdown. These operations, he emphasised, must go beyond formality and focus on breaking the networks facilitating illegal transport.
Sinha added that if unnumbered vehicles are found operating in the future, responsibility will be fixed on the concerned officials, who will face stringent action. He instructed district administrations to provide full support to departmental teams and ensure swift responses to any complaint.
The warning follows a parallel move by the Economic Offences Unit, which earlier this week formed a special team to identify and act against sand and land mafia groups, acting on instructions from Home Minister Samrat Choudhary.
The Deputy Chief Minister also announced incentives for public reporting of violations. Citizens can inform the department through helpline numbers — 94722 38821, 0612-2215360, and 9473191437 — and receive the “Bihari Yoddha Puraskar”. Informants will be rewarded Rs. 5,000 for identifying an illegal tractor involved in sand transport and Rs. 10,000 for a truck.
He said the government is working to make mining operations transparent, regulated, and fully lawful, supported by enhanced technological monitoring and stronger field-level teams.
