The Siliguri Metropolitan Police have launched a major crackdown on the sand mafia operating along the Balason river in Matigara, just 48 hours after Darjeeling MP and BJP national spokesperson Raju Bista publicly criticised the administration for allowing large-scale illegal mining in the region.

Acting on a tip-off, the detective department of Siliguri Metropolitan Police carried out a late-night raid on Wednesday and seized six dumpers allegedly transporting illegally mined sand from the Balason riverbed. Six drivers were arrested on the spot and produced before the Siliguri court on Thursday. Police said a detailed investigation into the network behind the operation is underway.

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The MP had earlier described the situation in the Balason river an environmental “catastrop

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