Two persons were arrested by Ranipet SIPCOT police for illegal sand mining from the dry river bed of Ponnai, a tributary of Palar, at Kondakuppam village near Ranipet town on Wednesday. 

The police said the arrested persons were identified as K. Rajasekar, 21, and N. Sakthivel, 24. They are residents of Kondakuppam village near the town. A special police team was patrolling Ranipet SIPCOT area along the river when the police found a few persons with a tractor involved in sand mining.

As the gang saw the police, a few members fled the spot. However, the police managed to nab two persons along with the tractor. The team checked the vehicle and found illegal river sand. Initial inquiry revealed that illegally mined sand had been transported to private contractors in the district.

A case has been registered. Special teams were formed to nab suspects, who fled the spot. Arrested persons were lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. The police seized a tractor and an earthmover. A probe is under way.