TIRUNELVELI | Aug 12, 2016: Four vehicles, including an earthmover involved in beach sand mining in Tirunelveli district were seized in a surprise inspection conducted by authorities of the district administration. While the seized vehicles were brought to Uvari police station, officials are waiting for the documents pertaining to the quarrying, for a case to be registered.

The seizure comes at a time when there have been complaints of illegal beach sand mining in the district for its rich mineral content. The surprise check at Uvari beach was conducted by a team of revenue officials led by sub-collector of Cheranmahadevi, Vishnu, on Thursday evening. "We have seized four vehicles including an earthmover. We are waiting for the documents to come in order to verify them," Vishnu said, adding that a case will be registered.

He has also asked the tahsildar to file a complaint with the Uvari police station to register a case under appropriate Sections of the Mines Act.

Officials said at the time of inspection the vehicles were found involved in loading the mineral rich sand into the trucks. While one truck was found already loaded, two more empty vehicles waiting for the sand to be filled, have also been seized.

However, the total amount of the seized sand was yet to be ascertained. While beach sand in the southern most coastal districts is known for its richness of minerals such as garnet, ilmenite, zircon and rutile, officials are yet to investigate for what mineral they were extracting.

Officials said that sand mining is carried out at a time when cases pertaining to permission of the mining is under sub-judice. "We gave time for the documents if any available in connection with permission to sand mining. But we have not received anything," Vishnu said.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)