A gang of sand smugglers allegedly attacked three Village Administrative Officers and other government officials in Mahadhanam village in Nagapattinam on Thursday, when they attempted to intercept a sand-laden tractor.
A video clipping of the attack that went viral showed the VAOs and a sub-inspector of Police trying in vain to confiscate the tractor.
Subsequently, a team of police personnel from the Velankanni police station arrived at the scene and confiscated five tractors and an earth-mover.
A senior official of Revenue Department said a First Information Report naming six persons has been registered, and that the tractor driver has already been arrested.
