Trichy | Oct 31, 2017: The district collector has ordered to book illegal sand miners under the goondas act following a crackdown in the Cauvery river in Trichy on Sunday night. During the surprise raid conducted at Keezhakaraikaadu near Thottiyam at 10.30pm on Sunday, 12 lorries, 18 two-wheelers and two bullock carts were seized from the site.
The raid was held based on a complaint received about illegal sand mining in the river, despite a ban by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court.
On sensing the arrival of the team, the offenders fled the scene leaving behind their vehicles in the river, following which the Thottiyam police was alerted. The police team managed to catch six persons involved in the offence.
The police seized all the vehicles and some of the vehicles were loaded with sand. The two-wheelers were also used for transporting the sand using bags. The raid went lasted for two hours.
Interrogation of the arrested brought to light the key operator in illegal sand mining - Kannan from Thirunarayanapuram. The assistant director of mines lodged a complaint with the Thottiyam police and the police registered a first information report (FIR) against Kannan and his accomplices.
As the illegal activity was made possible owing to connivance of some officials, the collector took serious note of the issue and issued a stern warning against illegal sand miners in the district.
"Complaints about illegal sand mining have been pouring in. We have had a list of persons involved in the offence. The crackdown on illegal sand mining will continue to nab the offenders. The action will be very severe and they will be booked under Goondas Act," collector K Rajamani told TOI.
The collector said that Mahendra Mangalam, Srinivasa Nallur, Melakaraikadum, M Puthur, Keezha Anbil, Sengaraiyur and some other areas were the main target of illegal sand miners.
"Acting on the complaints from the people about the offence, we will keep vigil on them in the areas to nab them," said the collector.
(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)