NT NETWORK
Margao
As many as 172 villagers of Curtorim residing in the ward of Muxiwaddo, Vetnem and Ungirim on Friday complained to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, local legislator, the department of Mines, Captain of Ports, police, local panchayat and other authorities concerned to immediately stop the illegal sand mining carried out on the banks of River Zuari at Muxiwaddo and Vetnem area.
Each day 40 to 50 meters of sand is being extracted from these areas illegally and sold.
The villagers said the illegal sand mining is done using heavy duty pumps in the middle of the night and during the wee hours. The sand is then transported by trucks which are not only overloaded but are plying on the road day and night thereby disturbing their sleep. The village roads also have developed huge cracks.
“It has been brought to our notice that the said activity is illegal and hence is in violation of the order of the High Court in the federation of Rainbow Warriors v/s Directorate of Mines as well as violation of Section 379 read with Section 34, of the IPC and Section 4 and section 21 of Mines and Mineral act. We have an objection even if this trade is legalised in the near future,’’ the complainant said.
They demanded the chief minister to conduct a surprise site inspection as the activity occurs in the night.
They further pointed out that with the illegal sand extraction, the existing bunds of the paddy fields are worn out and if timely action is not taken to stop the illegal activity, the said bunds might collapse and give way for saline water to enter the paddy field thereby endangering the life of the people residing in the vicinity.
