Illegal sand mining: 18 coracles seized

Joint operation

The staff, divided into four teams raided the Lakshmantheertha river bed simultaneously and recovered 18 coracles and a lorry.

Eight coracles that were involved in lifting sand near Sopanakatte at Tondalu village were also seized. It may be recalled that a child met watery grave after falling into the ditch that had formed due to sand mining.

Two coracles near a burial ground at Ranganatha layout, four at a farm belonging to former TMC president D Chikkachennappa, another four coracles near a farm of Prasanna, four more at a land belonging to Congress leader Jayaram have been seized, according to sources. Criminal cases have been filed against the culprits.

Absence of police

Assistant Commissioner Lingamurthy has expressed his unhappiness over the failure of police department in curbing the illegal activities.

Though details of the operation were informed in prior to the police, they failed to join  the team, citing that they are expecting a top cop’s arrival.

Two rounds of meeting was held earlier to the operation, and the complete information was given to the police department, he answered to a query.

Excise department circle inspector Umashankar, RTO Prabhakar, Manjunath of Fisheries, Puttashetty of Fire department and others participated.

MLA H P Manjunath had held discussions with the officials recently to curb the unabated illegal sand mining at Lakshmantheertha river.