Tribal chief killed in tractor hit by suspected sand mafia in Madhya Pradesh

Representative image. A tribal farmer died in Madhya Pradesh’s Singrauli after he was hit by a tractor, allegedly belonging to the sand mafia, when he objected to it passing through his farmland. | Photo credit: MOHD ARIF

A tribal farmer was killed in Madhya Pradesh’s Singrauli after being hit by a tractor, allegedly owned by the sand mafia, who did not want it to run over his crop land, police said on Monday (September 2, 2024).

According to the police, the incident took place on Sunday night (September 1, 2024) at Gannai village, on the limits of Sarai police station. The police received information through the 100 helpline number around 8 pm about one Indrapal Agariya, 35, who was injured in a tractor accident.

Singrauli Additional Commissioner of Police Shiv Kumar Verma said that when police reached the spot, they found the victim, his family members, some villagers and some local journalists.

“He was taken to Sarai Hospital where doctors said there were no visible injuries on his body but his condition appeared serious. The doctors tried to refer him (to a bigger hospital) but he died. His family claimed that the tractor belonged to one Lale Vaishya and alleged that his driver had hit Agariya with the vehicle while he was transporting sand from the route behind the deceased’s farm,” Mr Verma said, adding that a case has been registered against the driver and owner of the tractor based on the claims of the victim’s family.

Mr Verma also said that the victim’s body has been sent for autopsy and further action will be taken based on the evidence.

In a post shared on the police’s X page (formerly Twitter), they called it an “accidental murder” and said Agariya died after being “pushed” by the tractor.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party alleges that the suspects have links with the ruling BJP and are involved in illegal sand mining in the region, receiving protection from the police and administration.

Several Congress leaders, including state unit president Jitu Patwari, former CM Kamal Nath and former minister Kamleshwar Patel, attacked the BJP government, alleging that there was a rise in atrocities against tribals and Dalits in the state.

Local Congress leaders and villagers also staged demonstrations at the Sarai police station, demanding the arrest of the accused men.

“Mohan Yadav Ithis freedom to loot protects crime and criminals! As Home Minister you are silent! The police and administration are also helping the mafia! This is what jungle raj looks like! If the oppression of Dalits and Adivasis continues like this, they will soon be openly fighting the government on the streets! I will also be at the forefront of this fight!” Mr. Patwari said in an X message.

Mr. Patel alleged that the sand mafia in the region has close links with BJP MP from Devsar Rajendra Meshram and has been illegally mining sand from the Pateer river flowing through the district for long.

“Since the sand mafia has close links with the Devsar BJP MLA, the police did not take any action and did not seize the tractor,” he said on X.

Several incidents of attacks on Dalits and tribals in the recent past have led to heavy criticism of the Madhya Pradesh government and police.

On August 29, the state government suspended six personnel of the Government Railway Police (GRP) after a CCTV video from October last year was leaked in which they were seen brutally assaulting a 60-year-old Dalit woman and her 15-year-old grandson at the police station in Katni district.

On August 31, five boys were arrested for assaulting and humiliating a 17-year-old Dalit boy and videotaping the incident in Shahdol district.