Sand mafia threats: Mangaluru Catholic Sabha urges arrests following attack on Alwyn D’Souza

MANGALURU: The Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh has urged the district administration and police to arrest all those involved in the assault on Alwyn D’Souza, president of the Catholic Sabha.
Paul Rolphy D’Costa, former president of the Catholic Sabha, told reporters here on Monday that D’Souza was seriously injured after he was assaulted near Adyar Bridge on October 5.
Demanding the arrest of all accused in the assault case within 24 hours, D’Costa also called for immediate measures to check illegal sand extraction at Pavoor-Uliya Island.
"If all the accused are not arrested within 24 hours, then the Sabha, with the support of like-minded organisations, will stage a protest in front of the police station, Deputy Commissioner’s office, and Mangaluru city police commissionerate," he said.
The Catholic Sabha members had staged a massive protest on September 27, seeking protection for Pavoor-Uliya Island, Ranipura, Thokoor, and Kenjar islands from illegal sand extraction.
Subsequently, the mines and geology department, in association with the police, had seized boats engaged in illegal sand extraction. A group of 20 people had assaulted Alwyn D’Souza near Adyar Bridge. Further, the group also issued threats to his life, he said, condemning the incident.
He stated that the residents of Pavoor-Uliya Island are scared to come out after sunset due to the strong presence of the sand mafia and the assault on Alwyn D’Souza.
"We have been demanding the district administration and the govt to save the island by checking illegal sand extraction. The extent of land on the island has shrunk considerably due to the illegal sand extraction. Huge boats and dredging machines were used to extract sand illegally. They have also dug two dredging wells, which is also posing a threat to the fishing activity," D’Costa said.
Social activist and CPM leader Sunil Kumar Bajal said that the district administration should take stringent action against illegal sand extraction in Dakshina Kannada.
He also warned of holding protests involving members of like-minded organisations if the district administration does not check illegal sand extraction. Further, he demanded security for residents of Pavoor-Uliya Island.