Bains brothers launch stir against sand mafia, held

Saturday, 18/04/2015

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CHUHARWAL (LUDHIANA): Independent MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains were arrested on Friday for launching a “satyagraha” (agitation) against the sand mafia in Chuharwal village, 17 km from Ludhiana.

Cops taking MLA Simarjit Singh Bains (centre) into custody at Chuharwal village in Ludhiana on Friday.

While Simarjit was arrested from Chuharwal, located on the banks of the Sutlej, his elder brother was taken into custody from outside Hotel Nagpal Regency in Ludhiana. The Bains brothers had announced the ‘satyagraha’ by their Team Insaaf from April 20, but they started it three days in advance.

Police had no idea about the protest. While Balwinder was to hold a press conference at Hotel Nagpal Regency at 10.30am, Simarjit reached Chuharwal with his 500-odd supporters and started the protest against illegal sand mining in the state.

MODUS OPERANDI

The independent MLA and his supporters loaded 10 tractor-trailers with sand to expose the modus operandi of the sand mafia. They wanted to show the people how the mafia excavates sand from the river and sells it in the market. They had also planned to provide sand freeof-cost to the area residents.

Police, after getting information about their plan, reached the spot and arrested Simarjit amid protest by his supporters, who were raising slogans against the state government and the sand mafia. Simarjit said they would continue their “satyagraha” after their release from the jail.

Additional deputy commissioner of police Satbir Singh Atwal confirmed the arrest of the MLAs. Councillors Parminder Soma, Daljeet Singh Bhola and some other supporters of the Bains brothers were also arrested.

When contacted, general manager of the district industries centre Mahesh Khanna said sand mining was banned in Chuharwal. Action is taken against those indulging in illegal mining, he said.

Residents of nearby villages told HT that sand contractors had employed persons from poor families for the illegal business. While 300-foot of sand in a tractor-trailer is sold at `6,000 in the market, the person who loads it and carries it to the market is paid only `1,000, said a resident of Chuharwal village.

MLA, 19 OTHERS BOOKED

The police said a case had been registered against Simarjit, councillors Parminder Soma, Daljeet Singh Bhola, Gurpreet Singh Gora, Ranjit Singh Ubhi and 15 other persons under Sections 341, 353, 186, 379, 427, 109, 120B, 114, 188 of the Indian Penal Code and under the Mining Act at the Meharban police station. Police claimed that these persons were indulging in illegal sand mining on the Sutlej banks. They have been remanded in judicial custody. The police said Balwinder was also involved in the conspiracy.

CAPT SLAMS GOVT

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh condemned the “arbitrary” arrest of the Bains brothers. He said the Akali-BJP government was trying to stifle the voice of the opposition.