23 booked for illegal sand mining in Uttar Pradesh

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A case was registered against 23 persons for illegal sand mining here in a drive against the sand mafia, police said today.

Yesterday, police received a tip-off that illegal sand mining was taking place at Ganga canal. But when they rushed to the spot, the miners managed to escape.

A tractor loaded with sand was seized, police said. A case was registered against 23 sand miners at Nagla Bajurg village under Bhopa police station here last evening.Ganga canal has been closed from October 3 to October 23 for maintenance work by the irrigation department, they added.