Six Arrested in Two Separate Cases for Illegal Sand Mining in Tamil Nadu Districts

Six persons were arrested in two separate incidents in Ranipet and Tirupattur districts on Wednesday for alleged illegal sand mining, authorities said. The arrests come as part of ongoing efforts by Tamil Nadu police to curb unauthorised extraction of sand from water bodies and riverbeds, which is regulated under the state's mining laws.

In the first case, police in Ranipet district apprehended a tipper lorry driver carrying illegally mined sand. A special team on patrol along the Chittoor-Cuddalore Highway near Perumathangal village, close to Arcot town, intercepted the vehicle. The driver, identified as A. Prabhu, 45, a resident of Tiruvannamalai, was taken into custody. The lorry and the sand were seized. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules.

In a separate incident, five persons were arrested by Oomerabad police in Tirupattur district. The police team was patrolling along the riverbed near Ambur town when they observed a group loading sand onto five bull carts. The individuals were apprehended on the spot. All five are residents of the Ambur area. They were lodged at the sub-jail in Tirupattur town, and a probe is underway, police said.

Illegal sand mining poses significant environmental risks, including riverbank erosion, loss of aquatic habitats, and depletion of groundwater levels. The Tamil Nadu government has periodically intensified surveillance and enforcement to curb such activities, which also impact infrastructure and agriculture dependent on river systems.

The police urged the public to report any instances of illegal mining through local law enforcement channels.