Illegal mining: Bid to ram SDM's vehicle in Himachal

A sub-divisional magistrate, who was on official duty to check illegal quarrying in Nalagarh area of Himachal Pradesh, had a narrow escape when a tractor-trailer tried to ram his official vehicle when he tried to stop it, police said Thursday.

"SDM Yunus Khan was there to check illegal mining along with other officials Wednesday. When he spotted two vehicles loaded with gravel and sand, he signalled them to stop. But one of the vehicles accelerated towards his vehicle and tried to hit the vehicle," Superintendent of Police S. Arul told IANS.

"The driver of the vehicle Makhan Singh was arrested. He was allegedly involved in illegal mining," he said.

"We got reports of other incidents also where illegal mining is being carried out. We are investigating the matter. More will people will be booked once the investigation in over," Arul added.

Officials said the SDM's vehicle overtook the tractor-trailer but instead of stopping, the tractor driver hit the SDM's vehicle.

"The tractor driver in a bid to flee from the spot tried to crash the SDM's vehicle," an official said.

Illegal mining in the hill state, say officials, is acute in areas adjoining Punjab.

Nalagarh area where the incident occurred is located close to the Punjab border.