Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Mar 22: In an incident that occurred at the Kota police station here, an accused who was arrested during a raid on the illegal sand extraction site, escaped in the presence of the police itself. This incident occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20.

The person who gave a ride to the police is identified as tempo driver Manju, resident of the vicinity of Hangarakatte Chemical Factory and a native of Shikaripur in the district of Shivamogga. The public have expressed their outrage against the police and accused them that due to their negligence, the accused escaped.

The police who got definite information that illegal sand extraction is in process from the Sita River which is at Hangarakatte near Balkudru village, raided the said spot at 5.30 am on Wednesday, along with Irodi PDO Subhash Kharvi and village accountant Manjunath, where the sand was being loaded onto a 407 tempo. Ashok Poojary and Santosh, who were on the spot, escaped the moment they saw the police. The police arrested driver Manju, along with one tonne of illegally extracted sand, the value of which is Rs 5,000 and also confiscated the 407 tempo, which was being used to transport the sand and brought the tempo as well as driver Manju to the Kota police station. 

Around 3.30 pm, it is said that, the arrested Manju, who was in lawful custody at the Kota police station, pushed aside the police and escaped from the spot. It is said that when this incident took place, Sub-inspector Rafique M had gone out and head constable Rama Devadiga was present in the police station.

Now a case stands registered as per the complaint given by Rama Devadiga. 

From a long time there are rumours that the police themselves are supporting the illegal extraction of sand. Now this incident has given boost to such beliefs. The public are also saying that the escaping of an accused from the custody of the police is a shame to the department. 

Recently, a complaint was given to superintendent of police (SP)against the inaction of the local police of Kandlur to stop illegal sand extraction that was going on in that area for quite some time. The additional SP and the team had raided the said spot and confiscated the illegally extracted sand and arrested the accused. On the occasion of this raid, the SP had taken to task the sub-inspector himself in front of the public and warned him also. Now the escape of the accused from the Kota police station, has given rise to suspicion that the police are indeed involved with illegal sand mafia.