Minister’s nephew, aides storm thana after mining crackdown; 1 held

Agra: A 50-year-old man was arrested in Mathura on Saturday in connection with an alleged attack on police personnel during a crackdown on illegal mining in Kamai village under Barsana police station limits. Surajpal Singh was arrested from Kamai village after an FIR was registered under BNS sections 121(1), use of force against a public servant, 132, deterring a public servant from discharge of duty, 190, unlawful assembly, and 191, rioting.Mathura (Rural) SP Suresh Chandra Rawat said, “Based on a complaint filed by SI Madan Singh, a case was registered at Barsana police station. Surajpal was arrested from Kamai village, and further legal proceedings are underway.” Chaudhary, however, maintained that the excavation was part of a govt-sanctioned Amrit Sarovar project and not illegal mining.The arrest came a day after a confrontation at the police station involving Nardev Chaudhary, nephew and local representative of UP cabinet minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, following the detention of two locals during the anti-mining operation. Police said a team led by SI Madan Singh raided a site between Kamai and Karhala villages on Thursday night after receiving information about illegal soil mining, and seized a JCB machine and four tractor-trolleys allegedly being used for the activity in the presence of mining department officials.Police alleged that while the seized vehicles were being taken to the station, Surajpal Singh and Lakhan Singh intercepted the convoy near Karhala cowshed. In his complaint, SI Madan Singh alleged that the duo abused police personnel and called several unidentified persons to the spot.The FIR added that Surajpal, Lakhan Singh and five to seven unidentified associates pushed the sub-inspector to the ground, threatened him and obstructed police from performing their duties before fleeing. Both men were later detained, after which Nardev Chaudhary arrived at the police station with supporters and argued with Barsana SHO Ashwani Kumar.