Three murders off Delhi expose the continuing terror of mining mafias

By Bharat Dogra 

In a village near the Delhi–Karnal highway, three friends who had reportedly opposed illegal mining were killed in a particularly brutal manner on the night of June 10. According to a recent report, Narendra, Vinod and Aneep of Diqadla village had allegedly incurred the hostility of powerful interests because they were believed to have complained about illegal mining activities.

On June 10, while travelling on a scooter, they were allegedly struck by a Scorpio vehicle with such force that they were thrown several metres into a nearby field. The incident has shocked local residents and once again drawn attention to the violence associated with illegal mining operations.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Across India, villagers, environmental activists, journalists and even government officials who have attempted to expose or resist illegal and ecologically destructive mining have often faced intimidation, assault and, in some cases, death. During visits to villages severely affected by indiscriminate mining, I have met people who could barely contain their tears while recounting incidents of violence perpetrated by mining interests.

According to a study by the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), during the 16-month period from December 2020 to March 2022, incidents related to river sand mining reported in the English-language media resulted in 418 deaths and 438 injuries. These figures include deaths and injuries arising from violence, accidents and conflicts linked to sand mining.

Even these alarming numbers are likely to be only a fraction of the real toll. They relate solely to river-sand mining cases reported in the English-language media. Deaths and injuries associated with sand and stone mining, many of which go unreported, are almost certainly far higher. In several regions, mining mafias have become extraordinarily powerful. Urgent action is needed not only to curb their environmentally destructive practices but also to end the violence and fear they impose on local communities.

In Kolawalpur village of Banda district in Uttar Pradesh, farmers complained that river-sand miners had damaged agricultural land and destroyed standing crops. They also reported that excessive sand extraction using heavy machinery had increased flood risks during the monsoon while contributing to reduced river flows during dry periods. Workers employed in the mining operations alleged that they had not received wages owed to them. Fortunately, sustained local resistance eventually led to some restraint being imposed on mining activities in the area.

Similarly, in Mahawa and Bhirala villages of Rajasthan's Sikar district, farmers and pastoral communities have suffered extensively because of stone mining and frequent blasting with dynamite. Local water sources have diminished, while stone dust has contributed to widespread health problems, including silicosis. Villagers reported that rock fragments hurled by blasting operations frequently pose risks to people and property.

These are only two examples of how the indiscriminate extraction of construction materials—including river sand, stone and gravel, along with the operation of associated stone crushers—has caused immense damage in thousands of villages across India. Much of this mining involves significant illegality.

Broadly speaking, illegal mining takes two forms. In the first, mining leases may be legally granted, but extraction exceeds permitted limits and environmental and labour regulations are routinely violated. In the second, mining operations are entirely illegal, conducted without valid permissions or oversight.

As illegality has become deeply embedded in this sector, criminal networks have increasingly moved to the forefront. Enormous profits can be earned in a short period, enabling mining operators to cultivate political patronage and secure the complicity of officials. At the same time, honest officers who attempt to enforce the law often become targets themselves.

One of the most shocking examples occurred when police officer Surendra Singh was run over and killed by a stone-laden dumper truck while acting against illegal mining. The incident sent shockwaves across the country but was by no means the first attack on law-enforcement personnel by mining mafias. Such incidents reveal both the arrogance and the influence of these criminal networks.

Social activists have been even more frequent targets. In Sikar, villagers spoke about Pradeep Sharma, an activist from a respected family of freedom fighters, who was allegedly murdered for opposing mining interests. Kailash Meena, a leading activist in the region, broke down while describing his friend's death and the injuries suffered by fellow campaigners. He himself has reportedly faced repeated threats and attacks.

Environmentalists have long warned that excessive sand extraction can inflict lasting damage on rivers and their tributaries at a time when water scarcity is already becoming increasingly severe. Heavy machinery is often brought directly into riverbeds. Temporary embankments are created, and sand is extracted far beyond sustainable limits. These activities disrupt aquatic ecosystems, damage fish habitats and alter natural river flows.

The consequences are far-reaching. Rivers become less capable of storing water during the monsoon and less able to sustain flows during dry seasons. This can increase both flood risks and water shortages. Meanwhile, the movement of heavy machinery and endless convoys of trucks often damages village roads, agricultural land and grazing areas.

The environmental consequences are not confined to river systems. In north-western India, several hill ranges that historically acted as barriers against desertification have been severely damaged or flattened due to excessive mining.

Across the country, numerous community groups have attempted to resist this destruction. In one notable success story, women in Kolawalpur stood in the river and offered prayers to protect it from mining. Their action inspired wider public participation, eventually leading to a large protest movement. Faced with growing pressure, the local administration was compelled to accept some demands aimed at reducing mining-related damage.

Such successes, however, remain rare. More often, those who challenge illegal and excessive mining face harassment, repression and victimisation.

Workers employed in mining operations also endure hazardous conditions. Exposure to silica dust has caused widespread silicosis among stone mine workers. Although a landmark Supreme Court judgment helped secure compensation for some affected workers and their families, largely through the efforts of social activists, the overall conditions of mine workers—including women workers—remain highly precarious.

For many years, environmental groups, labour organisations and concerned citizens have attempted to expose the activities of mining mafias. Courts have delivered several important judgments and directives. Yet the problems associated with illegal and excessive extraction of construction materials continue to worsen.

A major reason is the protection that mining interests often receive from powerful political actors. This backing enables mining mafias to operate with remarkable impunity despite repeated efforts to regulate them. At the same time, local resistance movements are often fragmented and isolated from one another, limiting their ability to influence policy or improve enforcement.

Nevertheless, these struggles have played an important role in raising public awareness about the environmental destruction and violence associated with illegal mining. The time has come for greater unity and coordination among these scattered efforts.

The brutal killing of three villagers near Samalkha is a tragic reminder that much more needs to be done to confront the terror of mining mafias and to protect both communities and ecosystems from their destructive influence.

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The writer is Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include A Day in 2071, Planet in Peril and Man over Machine