Illegal sand mining allegations have come under scrutiny in Madhya Pradesh’s Alirajpur district after three children drowned in a rain-filled pit allegedly dug on government land, prompting an arrest, a police case and protests by their families and local residents.
Police arrested Pintu Inder Singh Jamra on Monday and registered a case against him under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The arrest followed the deaths of the three children in the water-filled excavation, which police said was allegedly linked to illegal sand mining.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the pit had been dug about three years ago and was left uncovered and without barricades. Rainwater subsequently accumulated in the excavation, creating a hazard that police said allowed people to enter the area.
According to the police account cited in the report, initial findings pointed to negligence by Jamra. Investigators said he should have covered the pit or installed barricades to prevent people from entering it. The police case is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine responsibility.
The incident has also raised questions about how an excavation allegedly carried out on government land remained open for several years. Police said the mining department would be consulted to verify the circumstances surrounding the excavation and the allegations of illegal sand mining. The department’s findings are expected to help establish whether the pit was created for unauthorised mining and what administrative action may follow.
The deaths triggered protests by the children’s families and residents. Protesters blocked a road and demanded strict action against those they held responsible, including officials concerned. Heated arguments broke out between family members and police officers during the protest, after which a heavy police presence was deployed to control the situation.
The case illustrates the immediate safety risks posed by abandoned or unprotected excavations, particularly during the monsoon when pits can fill with rainwater and become difficult to identify. In this instance, police said the excavation had remained without basic protective measures such as covering or barricading.
Further investigation was underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine responsibility for the children’s deaths. Police are also expected to consult the mining department as part of the inquiry into the alleged excavation and illegal sand mining.
