Earlier, sand mining rights were awarded by the administration on a first-come-first-served basis, making the process vulnerable to political influence. Mining used to be largely labour-intensive. However, the National Green Tribunal, hearing a case of pollution last year, banned sand mining in Bengal and ordered fresh distribution of mining rights through e-auction. That is why they forcibly tried to prevent mechanised sand mining," an official said. Sources said that often local politicians used to back illegal mining at legal sand pits besides controlling the entire cash-rich trade.

Source: The Telegraph January 23, 2017 21:27 UTC