The Nagaon Forest Department has seized equipment allegedly used for illegal sand mining during a raid at Tinsukia village in Juria following complaints from local residents.
Forest officials seized a sand-extraction machine, a pump and pipes during the operation. Residents alleged that sand had been extracted from a pond belonging to local resident Zakir Hussain for a long period without the required permission.
They also alleged that machinery and boring methods used for extraction had damaged houses and homesteads near the pond.
Acting on the complaints, the Forest Department conducted the raid and seized the equipment. No arrests were made during the operation.
Officials said questioning and further inquiry were underway to determine whether the sand extraction was carried out without permission and whether it caused damage to nearby properties.
