Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Apr 13: The general session of the zilla panchayat (ZP) here passed a resolution condemning murder attempt by sand mafia on the deputy commissioner (DC) of the district, Priyanka Mary Francis, Kundapur assistant commissioner, Shilpa Nag, and other officials during their raid on illegal sand mining area at Kandlur near Kundapur. Members from both ruling and opposition parties supported the resolution.
The session, held at the ZP hall at Manipal on Wednesday April 12, was presided over by ZP president, Dinakar Babu. Batawadi Suresh, who raised the issue of arrogant posture owned by sand mafia, urged the meeting to pass resolutions to support traditional sand mining and banning export of sand outside the district, along with condemning the attack on officials. Janardana Tonse wanted to know what police, mines and geology, and revenue departments are doing on the issue.
ZP chief executive officer, Priyanka Mary Francis, informed that 89 loads of sand that was illegally extracted has been kept ready for supply to the general public and also to see that government works do not suffer for want of sand. She added that permission has been given to set up three M sand units in Karkala.
There were allegations that after minister, Pramod Madhwqaraj, asked Brahmavar police to act against illegal sand mining, the police in turn, had conveyed information about raid to the sand mafia, who got ready to attack the officials. This gave rise to lot of accusations and counter allegations. Almost everyone expressed surprise at the arrest of labourers alone but not the persons who operate these sand mines. Assistant superintendent of police, N Vishnuvardhan, said that in spite of whatever pressures the concerned might bring, leading personalities behind sand mafia will be arrested. He pointed out that 20 persons have so far been arrested in this connection.
Discussions at the session also revolved around payment of suitable salary to outsourced drivers, fixing responsibility for substandard work on engineers, repair of vented dam at Kokkarne etc.