Team Herald
Pernem: In a joint raid conducted on Friday, the Captain of Ports along with Pernem police team seized 31 boats from River Tiracol at Naibagh-Porascadem, which were allegedly involved in illegal extraction of sand.
The team found 31 boats anchored on the river bank. All the boats were taken into custody by Pernem police.
Pernem PI Vikaran Naik said,”based on reliable information, a joint raid was conducted by Captain of Ports along with Pernem police. 31 boats are seized which were anchored at the river bank of Tiracol at Naibagh Patradevi. The boats are taken into custody and further action will be taken by Captain of Ports as per their provisions. Captain of Ports will verify if these boats are registered”.
Deputy Director of Captain of Ports, Sirsaikar said, ”As we had said that action will be initiated, we again conducted a raid but haven’t found any illegalities. We have not found any boat operating in the water. All the boats were anchored on the river bank. We have found 31 boats and are further investigating whether they are registered and possess required documents. Action as per port act will be taken,” he said.
During the inspection, the team did not find any boat laden with sand or sand deposited on the riverbank. No arrests were made.
This is the second such joint raid conducted by the teams. Earlier the teams had seized 26 boats.
On Monday, the High Court had pulled up the State government and the police for failing to initiate action against those involved in illegal sand extraction after the petitioner had complained that sand was illegally extracted on two occasions on April 10 and 18. The Court has now asked the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), Pernem Mamlatdar and the Pernem Police to file their affidavits latest by May 2.
