On one hand Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann promised a tough action against illegal sand mining during his election campaign whereas, on the other hand his administration transferred senior IPS officer who busted a gang of illegal sand miners a week ago.
On Friday, the state government issued transfer orders for 13 senior superintendents of police (SSP), among whom was Dhruman H Nimbale. He was shunted out of Hoshiarpur within a week after he busted an alleged gang of illegal sand miners and made one of the biggest cash seizures worth Rs 1.53 crore.
Posted to Muktsar, Nimbale has an unblemished track record, is known to take on the sand mafia and has been transferred 18 times in eight years. Before this, his last two transfers took place during the Congress-led government and coincided with action against illegal sand mining in Tarn Taran and Moga.
He ordered over 100 FIRs in cases of illegal sand mining during his tenure as the SSP of Tarn Taran, Moga and Hoshiarpur.
After the AAP-led government took charge, he cracked down on sand miners impersonating government officials, who were allegedly charging “illegal tax” from truck drivers.
IPS Nimbale’s transfer has given the opposition ammunition against the AAP. Many opposition and former party leaders have raised questions over the state government’s commitment in ending the sand mafia menace.
