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Eight held for 16 tonne sand theft from riverbed in Botad

Rajkot: Eight persons were arrested for the alleged theft of 16 tonne sand from the bank of Bhadar River in Paliad of Botad district on Thursday.

Police said Munna Dabhala (24), Nanji Sakaria (28), Nilesh Dharajia (28), Vanraj Chhapara (21), Nilesh Bawaliya (40), Vijay Dharajiya (24), Mehul Kukadia (19) and Lala Vinu (32) were arrested for the crime.



“We have seized 16 tonne sand, one loader, two dumpers, four tractors, two bikes and six cellphones, all worth Rs 45 lakh from the accused,” said R H Bar, sub-inspector with Bhavnagar rapid response cell.

The police said they effected the arrests after raiding the spot on the bank of Bhadar River, where they had received a tip-off about the illegal racket of sand theft going on.

“We have booked the accused for the crime at Paliad police station. A total of 11 persons were booked, of whom eight were arrested,” added Bar, while refusing to reveal the names of the three accused, citing secrecy of the investigation.

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