Bhilwara: Illegal stone mining mafias attacked a forest dept team in Tonk’s Niwai area Wednesday morning when officials tried to seize tractor-trolleys near Raktanchal mountain, leaving two forest workers injured and damaging a govt vehicle.Police and administrative officials rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched an investigation. Tonk’s superintendent of police Rajesh Kumar Meena said an FIR was registered based on the forest workers’ complaint and teams were formed to nab the accused.Officials said Tonk district had been receiving repeated complaints of illegal stone and gravel mining. Acting on a tip-off, a forest dept team reached the site behind Raktanchal mountain and found two tractors loaded with stones. On spotting the team, both vehicles began dumping the stones and tried to flee.The team intercepted one tractor, following which the driver and others allegedly attacked the officials, injuring two forest workers and smashing the windows of the department’s vehicle.Niwai deputy SP Ravi Prakash Sharma said the four-member team from Tonk headquarters carried out investigation without informing local police. He added that while one tractor managed to escape, the other was stopped, triggering the assault.“We have registered a case under various sections, including obstruction of govt duty, and formed multiple teams. The accused will be arrested soon,” Sharma said, adding that the incident could have been avoided if the local police had accompanied them.
