Illegal sand mining and stone extraction were halted after a group of suspected Bangladeshi nationals allegedly attacked Border Security Force personnel on the Indian side of the Sanyajan river in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on Saturday evening, prompting the force to use stun grenades in self-defence, according to an official source cited by Telegraph India.
The incident took place near BS Bari village in Mekhliganj block, around 90km from Cooch Behar town, at about 5.30pm. No casualties were reported. The group was allegedly attempting to remove sand, stones and pebbles from the Indian side of the river when BSF personnel intervened.
The source said the suspected miners responded by attacking the personnel with sticks and pelting stones. The BSF then used stun grenades, also known as flashbangs, to disorient the group and force its retreat. Security was subsequently increased along the border, the source said.
A stun grenade produces a bright flash and a loud sound and is designed to temporarily incapacitate or disorient people rather than cause fatal injuries. However, the device can cause serious injuries, particularly when used at close range. No such injuries were reported in this incident.
Mekhliganj MLA Dadhiram Roy said illegal attempts to extract riverbed materials from Indian territory had become a recurring problem in the area. “Despite the attack on Saturday, the BSF personnel thwarted the illegal mining,” Roy said.
The incident highlights the overlap between border management and the control of construction materials in riverine areas. Sand, stone and pebbles extracted from riverbeds are widely used in construction, but unauthorised mining can also affect riverbanks, alter local waterways and create enforcement challenges in areas where the international boundary follows or lies close to rivers.
The report linked the alleged activity to demand for stone in Bangladesh, which relies heavily on imported stone for construction and obtains only a small share of its requirements from domestic sources. The account did not provide details of the quantity allegedly extracted, the number of people involved or whether any arrests were made.
The BSF had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting. The identities and nationality of the people involved had also not been independently established. Further official details are expected to clarify the circumstances of the confrontation and the action taken after the group retreated.
