Umesh Marpalli/Pareekshith Shet
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 7: It is tragic that the money-spinning activity of illegal sand mining is continuing without any restrictions at Mogaveera Pete in the taluk, although poor people in the state are finding it hard to get sand. Ironically, police department and district administration are reportedly extending support to this activity.

This illegal activity that is continuing at Mogaveerapete within Kokkarne gram panchayat, located about 23 km away from Brahmavar, has not faced any problem from officials so far. Unscrupulous people are continuing to rip open the base of River Sita which flows here. It is gathered that this activity, undertaken by a zilla panchayat member from Congress and another Congress leader, who happens to be a member of Cherkady gram panchayat, has the blessings of the local MLA, police department, and district administration. A Congress leader who plays an important role in Cherkady gram panchayat, who gave this information, lamented that houses for the poor under Ashraya scheme of the government and such other constructions have come to a stand still because of non-availability of sand, whereas so much sand is being mined by people illegally with support of officials.

For the last two months, sand is being mined at Mogaveerapete by using a dredging machine and a machine which draws sand mixed with fresh water from the river. Police department and district administration are hand in glove in this activity. There are allegations that this illegal mechanized sand mining is going on because the concerned are paying money regularly to Brahmavar police, politicians, and district administration.

In the recent past, the deputy commissioner of the district had announced at a press conference that the concerned would be booked and machinery would be impounded if mechanized sand mining is witnessed anywhere in the district. But, sand mining at Mogaveerapete has not faced any problem. Panchayat development officer of Kokkarne panchayat, Anant Padmanabha Nayak, speaking to daijiworld, said that the panchayat does not get any revenue out of illegal sand mining. He said that complaints accompanied by photos about illegal sand mining had been sent to district administration, mining and geology department, and Brahmavar police station along with some other departments, adding that none of the departments have either responded or visited the spot so far. "If any individual goes there alone, there is risk to his life. I am sure that the police department will not come to our rescue. This irregularity is continuing because police department and district administration have joined hands with the concerned," he stated.

The sand mining business here is thought to generate income of lacs of rupees for the concerned every day, and a major chunk of it is thought to flow into the coffers of political leaders. Congress leaders are supporting this activity, and recently, it is said that a BJP leader from Kokkarne, has also been turned in his support to the Congress zilla panchayat member who is carrying out the illegal mining. It is therefore believed that the illegal sand mining is continuing with the support of police department and district administration, and with the involvement of Congress and BJP leaders.

Udupi district is considered to be advanced. It has efficient top level officials in the form of deputy commissioner, Dr Vishal, and superintendent of police, Annamalai. People are awaiting to see whether these two officials, who are known for their honesty and integrity, will be able to rein in this illegal activity and see that the good name they have earned is not allowed to be sullied.