Dhanbad: Police have intensified their investigation into the death of truck driver Hasan Mandal, 48, who allegedly succumbed to injuries sustained in an assault while loading sand at Polkera village in Dhanbad district.On Saturday, police registered an FIR against three residents of Polkera — Mannu Mandal alias Manu Mahto, Tarapad Mahto and Mangal Mahto — based on a complaint filed by Hasan’s brother, Taizul Mandal. He alleged that the accused attacked Hasan with sticks and iron rods, inflicting injuries that later proved fatal.Hasan, a resident of Bagdanga in West Bengal’s Nadia district, had reached Polkera around 10:30 pm on Wednesday along with truck cleaner Biswanath Das and owner Mafizul Malik. According to Biswanath, four to five men arrived and assaulted Hasan without any apparent provocation.Despite his injuries, Hasan managed to drive the truck for about half a km before losing consciousness. Biswanath then alerted sand stockist Sikandar Ansari, who reached the spot with others and took Hasan to a private hospital in Dhanbad. He died during treatment.On Friday, Taizul, Biswanath and Mafizul went to Nirsa police station. A police team led by Nirsa SDPO Lileshwar Mahto took them to Polkera, inspected the alleged crime scene, searched nearby areas and raided the homes of the three accused. However, all three are absconding.SP (rural) S Mohammad Yakub said a case had been registered and raids were under way to arrest the accused.Dhanbad mining inspector Shyam Mandal said illegal sand extraction was allegedly continuing in some areas with local support despite restrictions. He added that the department was taking steps to curb the practice.
