33 arrested in Rajasthan for assaulting policemen

Police Sunday arrested 33 people who seriously injured eight policemen including an inspector during a drive against illegal mining in Rajasthan, officials said.

Those who were arrested are supporters of the local mining mafia, they added.

According to the police, the incident occurred Saturday night when a team of policemen went to stop illegal mining on Arawali Hills in Alwar, some 150 km from Jaipur.

"The team was led by Tapukara police station inspector Rajpal Singh. The policemen had followed a truck carrying illegal mined stones from the hill. When they reached the illegal mines, they were surrounded by people working there," a police officer told IANS.

The miners started hurling stones at the police team, the officer said.

"Rajpal Singh and seven other policemen were injured. The policemen had to leave the area to save themselves. However, we carried out raids and arrested 33 people," said the officer.

Illegal mining on Arawali hills in Alwar and nearby Bharatpur districts is a major concern for authorities in Rajasthan. Several cases of attack on police teams have been reported in the recent past.