AGARTALA, Nov 15 (TIWN): Sand continues to be trucked from the various parts of the Howrah River in the State, despite the fact that the government has not issued permits to mine sand.

Reportedly, the miscreants than illegally sells the smuggled sand with high price. On the other hand, the sand mafia claims that the sand has been trucked after clearing deal with the Forest Department.

Agitated locals residing near the Howrah River claimed that the officials of Forest Department involved in the sand mining should be unveiled soon. Further, a strict action should be taken against them.

Locals alleged that the sands are trucked by the mafia after they collect the sand with the help of water pump.

Showing thumb finger to the ban on sand-mining and quarry enforced by High Court, the sand mining is continuing at large. It seems to have fallen loose with the instance of sand mining going rampant in the state at different places.

Though the High court has imposed a restriction on the sand mining yet there is a rise in the sand mining from different belt of Howrah River in the state.

Amidst of the ban imposed by the HC, it is alleged that the sand-mafia’s are showing a thumb finger to the decision of the HC and are carrying out drilling from the river bed in the broad day light under the nose of the police.

However, taking of the slackness attitude of the police administration towards sand smuggling, sand mining are going at large in different belt of Howrah River including spots at Jirania, Champaknagar, Khayaerpur and others.

Indiscriminate and unregulated sand-mining causes erosion of the river bank and damages biodiversity. Sand mining on either side of rivers in stream or upstream is one of the causes of environmental degradation and also a threat to biodiversity.

Allegation has been raised by the locals that the miscreants install water machine and pump out the sand from the river. Day after day during the construction of the NH-44 the sand mining was continuing at opposite to Ramesh Bagan School.

Besides, the locals alleged that everyday around 4 to 5 trucks of sand have been mined by the Forest Department. Where the sand was bought with Rs. 700 are being sold with a hefty amount.

However, despite of several complains and the River Howrah is facing pollution threat the authority is playing role of silent spectators, claimed the locals.