Sand Mafia Demolishes 20 Dalit Homes in Morbi Village in Gujarat

Local police intervened in time to diffuse the brewing situation. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Sand mafia operating in Miyani village of Morbi district in Gujarat took down portions of almost 20 houses belonging to families from the Dalit community of the village on Thursday.

The village witnessed tense scenes after sand mafia razed the Dalit locality with an earthmover and loader. Locals allege that the sand miners demolished their homes so that they could make a road through the residential area of the village that would lead directly to the river. However, local police intervened in time to diffuse the brewing situation.

Before I could understand why the earth mover and loader came in our area, they started demolishing the compound walls and extensions of our houses. We were very scared as they did not listen to our repeated requests not to break our houses. 

Jiva Parmar, Resident of the locality to<i> The Times of India</i>

Also Read:
From ‘Chalo Una’ to ‘Chalo Dilli’? Dalit Agitation Plans Expansion

Parmar has alleged that most of the families were having lunch around 12 in the noon when the sand mafia attacked their homes in the Miyani village which has a population of around 2,000, mostly Kolis and Thakores who belong to the other backward class (OBC) category.

NB Dabhi, investigating officer, Halvad police station, said:

Primary investigation revealed that all the accused are involved in illegal sand mining. We have also deployed police personnel in the village to avoid any escalation of tension.

Source: The Times of India