A block revenue officer posted at the block land and land reforms (BL&LRO) department in Dhupguri block of Jalpaiguri was confined and assaulted on Thursday allegedly by some people linked with illegal sand mining.

Arun Pathak, the revenue officer, alleged that the attackers also threatened him with dire consequences if he did not stop conducting raids against illegal extraction of sand and boulders from rivers and rivulets present in the block.

In the past 24 hours, this is the second such incident when a state government official has been attacked and assaulted by people involved in such illegal activity which amounts to loss of royalty for the state.

Sources said that on Thursday, Pathak intercepted a dump truck at Angrabhasa in Dhupguri block.

“The truck was supposed to carry 300 cubic feet of sand but it was carrying 800 cubic feet of sand. I asked the truck driver to provide documents to validate transport of more sand as the vehicle was overloaded. He failed to do so,” said the block revenue officer.

Pathak said he told the driver that the fine would be imposed on the dump truck for overloading or else he would seize the vehicle.

“Soon, a group of 20-25 people reached the spot. They slapped and assaulted me and threatened me with dire consequences and added that I should stop conducting such raids. I could not seize the truck and left the spot,” Pathak added.

Joydip Ghosh Roy, the BL & LRO of Dhupguri, filed a complaint at Dhupguri police station.

“We work for the state government and put in efforts to ensure that the government earns royalty from minor minerals. Unfortunately, we have to face such attacks. A trader based in Dhupguri is involved in this incident. We hope the police take steps,” said Ghosh Roy.

The attack on Pathak occurred a day after Gour Soren, the BL & LRO of Karandighi block in North Dinajpur, was assaulted by people allegedly involved in illegal sand mining. Soren, who had intercepted a sand-loaded truck in the Jhapatol area of Karandighi on Wednesday, was beaten up along with three other employees of his department for stopping the truck.

Officials of Raiganj police district said three persons have been arrested in connection with the attack on Soren.