QUEPEM: Thanks to a concerted effort by South Goa District Administration and the Cuncolim police – timely action was taken against an illegal hill cutting in Quepem where machines used for the illegal act were seized.
Cuncolim police along with Jt Magistrate of Quepem conducted a surprise inspection at Benundrem in Quepem in the early hours of December 13 and seized 16 tipper trucks, 2 JCBs and one excavator used to illegally cut the hill.
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DySP Nilesh Rane disclosed that the trucks were placed in a row while the JCB machines were used to cut the sloping hill and extract soil from it which would be then taken away.
However, on seeing the team of officials descending on the scene suddenly, the drivers fled from the area leaving behind the vehicles which were then attached by the officials.
He further disclosed that a contractor from Ponda was carrying on the illegal hill cutting. Officials of the TCP Department from Quepem also inspected the site and noted that section 17A of the TCP Act was violated.
South Goa Collector has apparently directed the Deputy Collector and Sub Divisional Magistrate, Quepem and police officials to keep a strict vigil on the place and take stringent action against the violators.
