VALPOI: Taking cognisance of the rise in illegal mining activities in Sattari taluka, the Directorate of Mines & Geology along with Sattari’s Joint Mamlatdar Vishnu Rane in a joint operation, raided an illegal laterite stone quarry at Pissurlem and booked the land owner. The officials further seized the machinery and a generator.
During the raid no workers were present on the site.
Meanwhile, sources informed that the survey of the respective land is underway and a criminal offence has been filed against the land owner.
When contacted, DMG officials said that a police complaint has been filed and inquiry is on. They also said that the seized machinery has been kept at the site and police personnel have been deployed at the site to maintain a strict vigil. The action has also affected the operations of the stone quarries located nearby. The locals have accused the authorities of being inconsistent in their actions.
“The stone quarries in these areas have no permits whatsoever. For quite some time these quarries have been left abandoned and have proved to be watery graves for youth who explore them to carry out swimming adventures. The muddy water of these quarries flows into the nullahs causing pollution. Although the authorities have initiated action, the operations will resume all over again after a week or so, as if nothing happened,” said a local on the condition of anonymity.
