Key Points
Minister dismissed organized crime claims, calling miners people working to feed themselves
Forest officials were threatened when attempting to seize tractor involved in illegal mining
Opposition claims statement exposes government's failure to provide employment
Incident occurred on March 18 when officials intercepted illegal sand mining operation
Empathizing with the accused, Kanshana dismissed allegations of sand mafia, instead referring to them as "peit (stomach) mafia" -- people working to feed themselves rather than organized criminals.
"Where is the mafia? There is no sand mafia, but a 'pet (stomach) mafia.' They are earning their livelihood. Sand mafias are those who work for one person; this is not a sand mafia. I believe there is no sand mafia in Morena. However, those who attacked government employees -- the law will take its course," Kanshana said while speaking to reporters.
Reacting to Minister Kanshana's 'Pet (Stomach) Mafia' remark, Deputy Leader of Opposition Hemant Katare claimed that the minister had incriminated his own government.
"I support the minister's statement because he has admitted that unemployment is at its peak in Madhya Pradesh, forcing people into crimes for survival. The government has failed to provide employment, which is why such incidents are happening. The minister has put his own government in the dock," Katare said.
On March 18, a forest department team intercepted a tractor-trolley involved in illegal sand mining near Ambah in the Morena district. When officials tried to stop the vehicle, the driver tried to flee, causing the vehicle to overturn. The officials then separated the tractor from the trolley and were shifting it to Ambah police station when a group of people forcibly intercepted them, threatened them, and forcibly took away the tractor.
Following the incident, forest officials filed a complaint at the Ambah police station, seeking action against the accused.
