Guj sand mining protest: Ten, including Cong MLA, detained

Ten agitators, including a Congress MLA, were today detained and three policemen were injured during a protest against sand mining in Vanthali town in Gujarat's Junagadh district.

"Protesters blocked the Vanthali-Junagadh road for nearly two hours and when police tried to disperse them, they pelted stones," said Junagadh Superintendent of Police Nilesh Jajadia.

"Three policemen were injured in the stone pelting and were rushed to a nearby hospital. To control the situation, we lathi-charged the protesters and fired seven teargas shells," he said.

"We have detained ten persons. Congress MLA Jawahar Chavda has been kept under preventive detention as we are investigating his role in the protest", the SP said.

Chavda is the sitting Congress MLA from Manavadar Assembly seat in Junagadh district.

The protesters had called for a bandh today in Vanthali town to protest against the district administration's decision to issue a permit for sand mining.

In 2016, the district authorities had issued a permit to one Jagdish Dangar for sand mining.

However, the move was challenged in the Gujarat High Court.

Though the matter is still sub judice, sand mining has been going on illegally, alleged a protester.

The district administration today decided to withhold the permit till the court verdict.

"As the matter is in court, we have decided to withhold the permit till the court gives its final verdict," said Junagadh district collector Saurabh Pardhi.