Whether Uttar Pradesh has the youngest chief minister in the country or not, it remains the Ulta Pradesh of the nation. The Akhilesh Yadav led government yesterday suspended an IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal who was after the sand mafia in the Noida area for the past few months by clamping down on illegal mining in the Yamuna and Hindon riverbeds. 

 

Durga, a 2009-batch IAS officer posted as sub-divisional magistrate in Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), had impounded several trucks engaged in illegal quarrying and registered over 20 FIRs. The reason cited by the government for the suspension is demolition of a wall at a disputed place of worship.

 

Chief minister Akhilesh tweeted, "it is an administrative decision. She had ordered demolition of the wall at a place of worship". In a late night statement, the government said Nagpal's action "lacked foresight and disturbed communal harmony". 

 

According to sources, Nagpal had visited a village in Rabupura area of Greater Noida Saturday following information that a masjid was being constructed without permission. "Though the masjid was built on private land, no clearance was taken. The building was illegal. While the villagers argued, they did not stand in the way when the structure was brought down," said district magistrate Ravi Kant.

 

The more likely reason for the suspension is Durga’s campaign against the sand mafia, which had reportedly affected some senior politicians. "Some trucks that have been impounded have been traced to senior politicians, including members of the ruling party," said an official on condition of anonymity. Durga has constituted several flying squads, and often conducted raids late in the night despite receiving several threats.