Alipurduar swoop on mineral trucks

DM Nikhil Nirmal (extreme left) and a police team check documents of trucks carrying minor minerals on NH31C in Alipurduar on Saturday. Telegraph picture

TT, Alipurduar: The Alipurduar administration on Saturday swooped down on trucks ferrying minor minerals extracted from riverbeds in the district, catching 23 of them with illegal consignments and imposing fines of Rs 7 lakh.

"We had information that trucks carry minor minerals like sand, pebbles and boulders, without proper documents of permission, which is granted to people who take lease of riverbeds by paying royalty to the state. A section of trucks are loaded with such materials in illegal manner. That is why the drive was conducted," said an official of the district administration.

The drive was carried out in two locations of NH-31C-at Telipara in Kumargram block and at Mahakal Chowpathi in Alipurduar-II Block. Nikhil Nirmal, the district magistrate, and Sunil Yadav, the superintendent of police, were present in both spots.

"As we intercepted the trucks, we found that around half of them do not have permission to carry the materials. The other trucks had the permission but did not have appropriate documents of the vehicle like the registration book, insurance certificate and other papers. Also, most of the trucks were overloaded and were carrying around 270 cubic feet of the material even though they have permission to carry only 200 cubic feet. That is why, the fines have been imposed," said the district magistrate.

After the drive, 10 trucks were allowed to leave but the papers were seized. The remaining trucks were seized and taken to Samuktala police station.

"Those who own the vehicles have to get the vehicles and the papers released by paying the fine at necessary state government offices," an official said.