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Journalists Claim Deeper Conspiracy After Sand Mafia Attack in Chhattisgarh
The incident took place near the Pitai Bandh sand ghat along the Pari River, under the jurisdiction of the Rajim police station.
A team of journalists—Imran Memon, Thaneshwar Sahu, and Jitendra Sinha—had gone to document illegal sand transportation after notifying district mining authorities. Instead of a response from officials, they were met by a group of seven to eight armed men who launched a vicious assault.
During the attack, Imran Memon was struck on the head with an iron rod, resulting in severe bleeding, while other journalists sought refuge in nearby fields. A 14-second video capturing the incident circulated among officials via WhatsApp, prompting a swift reaction from the authorities.
The journalists voiced concerns about a possible collaboration between mining officials and illegal operators. One reporter, pleading in the video footage, emphasized the need for protection, stating, “The sand mafia attacked us. The administration must safeguard journalists.” The incident has sparked outrage within the media community, leading to protests at Sundarlal Sharma Chowk in Rajim demanding immediate action.
PCC Chief Deepak Baij raised questions regarding the lack of response from mining officials to the journalists’ warning, hinting at potential complicity. In response, authorities have filed an FIR, and two suspects have been apprehended. Gariyaband SP Nikhil Rakhecha has assured that further arrests will follow. SDM Vishal Maharana and SDOP Nisha Sinha visited the protest site to address the journalists’ concerns.
Illegal sand mining persists in this region, with reports indicating over ten unauthorized sites operating under political backing. These mines provide sand to surrounding districts, including Raipur, Durg, and Rajnandgaon, with mafia groups allegedly paying large bribes to influential individuals.
The journalists have outlined several demands: the filing of attempted murder charges against their attackers, legal action against mining kingpins, the removal of Mining Officer Rohit Sahu, and the immediate closure of all illegal mining operations. While authorities have pledged strict action, there remains skepticism about whether substantial measures will be taken to dismantle the entrenched sand mafia network.
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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