Seven held for illegal sand extraction from Kali Gandaki River

MUSTANG: Police have arrested seven people along with seven tractors and their drivers for allegedly extracting and transporting sand illegally from the Kali Gandaki River in Mustang.

The District Police Office, Mustang, seized the tractors carrying sand for extracting and transporting river-based natural resources without obtaining the required permission.

The seized tractors include those bearing registration numbers Ga 1 Ta 7653, Ga 1 Ta 7597, Ga 1 Ta 6653, Dha 1 Ta 114, Ga 1 Ta 6088 and Ga 1 Ta 6954.

The individuals were allegedly involved in illegally extracting and transporting sand from the riverbed near Eklebhatti in Waragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality-4 along the Jomsom-Korala road section.

Police Inspector Santosh Basyaal of the District Police Office, Mustang, said extracting river-based materials from the Kali Gandaki during the monsoon could increase the risk of disasters.

Police have continued monitoring and taking action against unauthorised extraction of river-based natural resources in the area.