Head constable run over by tractor involved in illegal sand transportation in Jewargi taluk

KALABURAGI: A police head constable was killed after he was run over by a tractor illegally carrying mined sand at Hullur village in Jewargi taluk on Thursday night.

Head Constable Mayur (50) was crushed to death under the tractor trailer. The incident occurred at a checkpost set up to curb illegal sand mining on the banks of the Bhima river. Kalaburagi Superintendent of Police Isha Pant had rushed to the spot.

The head constable was deliberately crushed under the tractor trailer, said SP Isha Pant.

The Nelogi police have registered an FIR against two people, Siddappa and Sahebanna in this connection and arrested Siddanna. The other accused Sahebanna is, however, absconding.

“About 9,000 tons of sand is stored at a place near Nelogi of which 3,000 tons has been seized by the PWD and 6,000 tons belongs to the mining lease holder Siddappa Basappa Maradi, who is supposed to make security arrangements. Many villagers indulge in illegal transportation of sand from that place and to control that, we have set up pickets and arranged patrolling”, said SP Isha Pant.

Illegal sand mining is quite rampant along the Bhima river banks.

“On Thursday night, head constable Mayur Chavan alias Mayur and constable Pramod were patrolling the area when they spotted a tractor indulding in illegal transport of sand. They chased the tractor and asked the driver to stop, but the tractor driver sped away. When the policemen continued the chase, the tractor driver drove the vehicle on the two-wheeler, killing the head constable on the spot while the constable fell to one side. We have booked a case under various sections of the IPC and CrPc and arrested the driver Siddanna. We will arrest the tractor owner Sahebanna soon”, the SP added.

Family members said they were informed by the police deparment that Mayur had met with an accident. “He was on night duty and when we reached the spot around 1 am, we found the tractor trailer on Mayur”, they said.