Pics: Stanley Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 28: MLC Ivan D'Souza, accompanied by the president of the Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh, Alwyn D'Souza, and a delegation of officials, visited the Pavoor-Uliya Island to assess the illegal sand mining activities in the area.

The delegation, which included former president Paul Rolphy D'Costa, former vice-president Stany Lobo, Bantwal zone president John Lasrado, Surathkal zone president Lawrence D'Souza, Pejar zone president Santosh D'Souza, Kasargod zone president Francis Montero, and Mudipu unit president Rajat Veigas, visited the Pavoor-Uliya Island. They were received by Fr Manohar D'Souza, the priest of Infant Jesus Church, along with the church's governing and administrative members. The team heard grievances from the local residents and inspected the site of illegal sand mining to witness the situation first-hand.

The delegation announced that they would meet with the deputy commissioner on Monday, September 30 at 10 am to address the issue. Additionally, they plan to visit Bengaluru on Thursday, October 3, to submit a memorandum to the chief minister, deputy chief minister, Speaker of the legislative assembly U T Khader, minister of mines and geology S S Mallikarjuna, opposition leader R Ashoka, and district-in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. The memorandum will request an immediate ban on illegal sand mining in Pavoor-Uliya, Uliya Hoige, Ranipura, and 62nd Thokuru and also at a newly constructed dam.

During the visit, the delegation also assured the local community that steps would be taken, in collaboration with Speaker U T Khader, to expedite the construction of the hanging bridge at Pavoor-Uliya.

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