MORENA, MADHYA PRADESH (Wednesday, April 8, 2026) — A 35-year-old forest guard was brutally killed early Wednesday morning after being run over by a tractor-trolley allegedly operated by the illegal sand mining mafia. The incident took place near the Ranpur village intersection on National Highway 552, highlighting the escalating violence in the Chambal region’s battle against illegal mining.
The Incident: A Fatal Confrontation
The attack occurred between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM as a six-member patrol team from the Ambah forest range was conducting a raid following a tip-off about illegal sand transportation from the Aisah Ghat on the Chambal River.
- The Victim: Harkesh Gurjar (also reported as Harikesh), a resident of Janakpur village in Morena who had recently been transferred to the Ambah range.
- The Assault: As the patrol team spotted a tractor-trolley loaded with illegally mined sand, Gurjar stepped forward to intercept the vehicle.
- The Act: Instead of stopping, the driver, identified by police as Vinod Kori, allegedly accelerated and deliberately ran over Gurjar.
- Outcome: Gurjar died on the spot. The driver fled the scene with the vehicle, leaving the patrol team to transport their colleague’s body to the Morena district hospital.
Investigation & Legal Action
Senior officials, including Collector Lokesh Kumar Jangid and SP Sameer Saurabh, rushed to the site to oversee the investigation.
| Case Detail | Information |
| Primary Accused | Vinod Kori (Identified; currently absconding). |
| Location | Ranpur Tiraha, Dimni Police Station limits. |
| Charges | Murder (Section 103 of the BNS) and relevant mining act violations. |
| Evidence | Police are scanning CCTV footage from nearby points to track the vehicle’s escape route. |
Context: The “Chambal Conflict”
This tragedy is part of a long-standing and violent struggle between state authorities and the “sand mafia” in the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Ecological Threat: Illegal mining destroys the sandbanks essential for the nesting of endangered gharials (fish-eating crocodiles).
- History of Violence: The region has a grim history of attacks on officials. Notably, in 2012, IPS officer Narendra Kumar was crushed to death in a similar manner, and in 2018, Deputy Ranger Subedar Singh Kushwah was also mowed down by a sand-laden tractor.
- Recent Escalation: Just last week, a forest team in the Son Gharial Sanctuary (Sidhi) was held hostage and assaulted by miners, signaling a coordinated emboldening of these illegal groups across the state.
Sources
- Hindustan Times: “Morena forest guard killed by sand mining mafia: Police” (April 8, 2026).
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “MP: Forest guard crushed to death by vehicle belonging to sand mafia” (April 8, 2026).
- NewsBytes: “Morena forest guard Harikesh Gurjar killed stopping illegal sand mining” (April 8, 2026).
- The Assam Tribune: “Forest guard killed in Morena during sand mafia attack” (April 8, 2026).
Leave a Reply