KAKKANAD | Feb 26, 2015: A big surprise was in store for Sub Collector S Suhas who was investigating illegal sand mining in Kanayannur taluk on Monday morning. He was surprised when he seized a notebook containing the list of vehicles used for transporting illegal sand to various areas.
“It was really a surprise for me as the notebook which I seized from the area has all the details of the vehicles. Interestingly, it clearly distinguished between the list of vehicles which have passes and which do not have the passes to transport the illegal sand. They have also categorised the list as per the tax paid for these vehicles,” the Sub Collector said.
According to him, the book has entries of over forty vehicles which are believed to have been used for the illegal sand mining. “The inspection in the survey no 293/13 near Kanayannur taluk was carried out after getting a tip-off. As per the order from the Geology Department the land owner had only the permission to excavate sand from 16.2 ares but he has extended the excavation to around one acre. The details received from the notebook clearly states that largescale sand mining is taking place in the area,” Suhas said.
Following this he directed the Village officer to issue a stop memo with immediate effect. “I have asked the village officer to submit the whereabouts of the land and the owner. The details of trucks used for transporting the sand will be investigated. Stringent action will be taken against these offenders,” Sub Collector said.
(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)