PANJIM: The Goa Police has warned its officials of ‘departmental action’ if caught supporting illegal sand mining in the wake of rampant uncontrolled illegal sand extraction and transportation in the recent past.
With the matter being heard in the High Court of Bombay at Goa on a petition filed by The Goa River Sand Protectors Network, Director General of Police Indradev Shukla in a meeting of stakeholders has warned the erring officials of action.
“If any police officials performing duty on boat found supporting such illegal activities and not taking strict action, will be viewed seriously. Lax approach of any police officials towards the halting of illegal sand mining will be viewed seriously. Non seriousness in the specific duty assigned to you all individually and collectively to halt illegal sand mining will be dealt with departmentally. Whenever this office sends complaint relating the subject matter, not to ignore but swiftly take necessary action in accordance with the law, and inaction on the part of police officials to strictly carry out the directions assigned to them, will liable them to face serious consequences,” the DGP said as details of the meeting and the standing order was submitted to the High Court on Tuesday.
The affidavit filed by SP of Vigilance and Legal Bossuet Silva on behalf of the department further assured the court that it will continue to take action against the illegal sand extraction/transportation activity as per the directions of the High Court.
The local police stations, coastal security police station and traffic units of Goa are maintaining intensive patrolling on the river stretches and on the routes of transportation and they are directed to crack down on the illegality, as submitted to the court. The patrolling staffs are also asked to identify sensitive locations where illegal sand mining occurs frequently. The officials are asked to take prompt action as per the provisions of the law against the offenders.
