'Sand mafia' blocks vehicle of govt officers during chase

Pune, Apr 17: A woman Tahsildar, posted in Pune district and her team had a narrow escape when suspected members of a sand mining mafia allegedly blocked their vehicle while they were chasing a truck that was illegally transporting sand on Pune-Solapur highway, police said today.

Varsha Landage, Tahsildar posted at Indapur had received a tip-off last night about illegal sand transportation activity in the area and had gone to nab the suspects, the police said.

"On seeing Landage and her team, a truck driver, suspected of transporting sand illegally, sped the truck towards Pune. However the revenue officials started chasing the truck. During the chase, an SUV overtook their vehicle and suddenly blocked the way," police said. But the driver of the vehicle of revenue officials' team applied brakes, which prevented the two vehicles from colliding.

Talking to PTI, Landage said, "We were speeding and suddenly the SUV overtook us and blocked our path. Had our driver not put the brakes, our vehicle would have rammed into the SUV." The revenue officials got down and nabbed two suspects, who helped the sand-laden truck disappear.

"Both of them have been arrested for deterring a public servant from discharging the duty," Landage said. Over the last few months, the local administration has been taking strict action against illegal sand mining and destroyed several boats, used for sand mining purpose off Ujani dam in the district.

PTI