Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jan 24: Geologists, revenue officials and police in a joint operation on Friday January 23 raided the Herikudru area under Anegalli gram panchayat here in connection to illegal sand mining and seized 19 lorries.
The small Herikudru area in Kundapur Anagalli gram panchayat limits is on the verge of destruction due to illegal sand mining. Several families living on the banks of the river feared that their village would submerge in the river if the illegal mining was not stopped. The affected families and locals had lodged a complaint with the departments concerned.
Kundapur divisional official Charulatha Somal who had arrived in the area a few days ago on directions from the deputy commissioner had ordered for the seizure of seven lorries in an earlier raid. However, the illegal sand mining had continued uninterrupted the very next day.
The present raid on Friday, January 23 was led by geology department official Lata Kulkarni and 19 lorries were seized in the raid. The three decks of sand were said to be belonging to K K Billava, Shambhu Poojary, Gangadhara Shetty, Manjunatha Nayar, Manjunatha Poojary, Dinakar Shetty, Amarnath Shetty, Karunkar Shetty and Nataraj (three partners).
Revenue officials Thimmappa Shettigar, Anagalli gram panchayat PDO Anil Biradar, village accountant Dinesh and Kundapur police inspector Nasir Hussian were present.
Geology department official Lata Kulkarni said that only lorries have been seized on orders from the tahsildar.