On the 18th of January, 2018, 36 yeard-old Sailu (Sailoo) was mowed down by a sand tractor that was allegedly transporting illegally extracted sand, in the Indian district of Kamareddy.

Sailu, a public servant of the Marthad village in the same district, was protesting and attempting to halt the alleged illegal extraction and transportation of sand. This illegal extraction of sand, among other minerals, within the region, has led to a so-called “Sand Mafia” and “Sand smugglers” that have been operating in the region with impunity. Regional political representatives point to Sailu’s death as a necessary requisite for official intervention into these groups.

Following Sailu’s death, his family and friends have protested the police to start an official inquiry into his death, however to no lasting results.