MAPUSA: In a joint raid, the officials from the Department of Mines and Geology, PWD and Bardez Mamlatdar on Monday seized illegally extracted sand at Bharwanwada and Chicalim in Camurlim.
During the raid they found 200m3 freshly extracted sand at Bharwanwada and 50m3 at Chicalim. The raiding team directed a police inspector to guard the seized sand till it was lifted by the PWD officials.
Bardez mamlatdar Laxmikant Kuttikar informed that they received a complaint from a local informed them about the illegal sand extraction in Camurlim zone.
Officials from PWD Mapusa Sandeep Kharkanis and K Chandan; Assistant Geologist, Sudhir Mandekar; Technical Assistant of Mines Department, Sham Sawant and police personnel were present during the raid.
It may be recalled that earlier in February, Camurlim sarpanch Vishant Naik Gaonkar had complained that rampant illegal sand extraction was carried out in the village. On an average, the accused used to make 300 trips on a daily basis He demanded that the government take immediate steps to stop this activity in the village.
The locals had also alleged that the sand mining lobby is working in connivance with the government officials to ensure that the activity is carried out smoothly.
