Dewas:
In the backdrop of recent murder of a police officer in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly by a mining mafia member, a woman revenue officer narrowly escaped from meeting a similar fate when she tried to put a leash on illegal excavation of stones at Kusumania village in the district, officials said.
The suspected mining mafia member, who allegedly tried to mow down Meena Pal, a Tehsildar at Kannod, while she was inspecting the illegal mining of stones at the site on Wednesday, is local BJP leader Dhara Singh Patel, they said.
When contacted, Mr Patel said though the godown being constructed at the site was in his name, he had handed over the contract to his friend Ramesh Verma. Mr Patel denied that an attempt was made on the life of the officer and alleged that in fact the officials beat up the JCB driver and other persons present at the spot.
Following a complaint from the officer, police has registered cases against Mr Patel, who also runs Maruti Construction Company in Ashta.
Police have also seized five tractor-trolleys laden with the earthen material and boulders from the spot.
According to officials, Ms Pal, along with the team of officials, rushed to the village on receipt of information regarding illegal mining activity.
When she was inspecting the site, a JCB machine operator, identified as Narendra Yadav, suddenly started moving the heavy machine towards Pal forcing her to jump to other side to save herself.
Dewas Collector Mukesh Chandra Gupta said that stern action will be taken against the illegal miners and is also probing whether an attempt was made to run over the tehsildar.