Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (SP)

Kaup, Dec 20: In a joint raid conducted by the police, revenue and geology and mines departments on a sand extraction unit illegally functioning at Kurkalu - Manipura rivulet, the officials took into possession two boats and two metric tonnes of sand. The raid was conducted based on a tip off provided by some locals.

The officers received information on Tuesday night about the illegal sand unit working near Naikara Thota on the bank of Kurkalu - Manipura rivulet. Thereafter the officials conducted a raid during which four workers who were extracting sand from the middle of the rivulet, fled. The officials took into possession two boats, equipment and two metric tonnes of sand collected on the bank with the help of boats.

The officials said that a private complaint would be filed against Purandar, who was illegally extracting sand and Daniel Karkada, who allowed illegal sand to be collected on his land, in the police station. Although similar complaints were received in the past, the officials had failed to detect illegal sand mining.

During the raid, people from nearby villages rushed to the spot. This made matters worse for the sand workers who had initially tried to hide underwater during the raid. They thereafter sped away in their boats. They left behind a boat in Kurkalu gram panchayat limits and the other in Manipura gram panchayat limits. Although some locals at the spot tried to chase the workers and catch hold of them, they failed to do so.

The spot where the operation was conducted is located on the border of Shirva and Kaup stations. The sand and boats were handed over by revenue and geology department officials to Shirva police station.

District mines and geology department officer, Mahesh, Kaup police sub-inspector, Laxman, Kurkalu gram panchayat panchayat development officer, Chandrakala, president, Shobha Salian, revenue officer, Leston Carnelio and other officials took part.