Reporters had gone to cover secret meeting

Silvester D' Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Oct 21: Byndoor MLA K Gopala Poojary and PWD officer Chandrashekar threatened media persons who had gone to cover a meeting regarding secret sand mining. The incident happened on Friday, October 21.

The department of geology which was giving permission for sand mining during last ten years was also allowing illegal sand mining. With this, major portion of the sand was getting transported outside the district and state causing scarcity of sand in the coastal region. Some people, alleging that it had damaged roads and land, had complained to national Green Tribunal (NGT). Therefore sand mining was suspended.

However the government had conducted tender process with the intervention of PWD and awarded contract to some people. As there was disparity between the rates fixed by the department and the contractors, a secret meeting was called in the mediation of MLA K Gopala Poojary.

The reporters who obtained information had gone to the place for taking pictures and for reporting on the meeting. But the officials objected to it. MLA Gopala K Poojary insulted the reporters and ordered them to go out.

Reliable sources said that the MLA intended to hold a compromise meeting to permit sale of sand to private parties with a ration agreeable to all concerned parties including PWD.

There is widespread condemnation against the behavior of MLA and officials. The people have demanded that the MLA release a public statement. As the embarrassed media persons walked out, the MLA too stopped the meeting half way and walked out.