Jaipur: When a team of Rajasthan police attempted to stop over 20 sand-laden tractor trolleys at a check point in Bharatpur district on Sunday, they were attacked and fired at by members of the sand mafia.
According to Bharatpur Superintendent of Police Shyam Singh, the sand mafia members not only attacked police but also attempted to trample them beneath the wheels of tractors driven by them, forcing the police to open fire and fire tear gas shells at the assailants.
The police managed to seize one tractor trollies coming from Dholpur with bajri’ (sand) from the Chambal river after a brief exchange of fire, Singh said, adding that all assailants managed to run towards the UP border.
According to him, the cops shot seven bullets and three tear gas shells in self-defense.
The impounded tractor also contained 20 litres of illegal raw liquor, according to the SP.
He added that empty bullet cartridges fired at the police squad were also discovered at the scene of the incident.
A case has been registered under various sections of the Forest Act, Excise Act, Wildlife Protection Act and Arms Act, police said.(PTI)