JOIN USThe JD(S) workers staged a protest against sand mafia and atrocity committed by the police against those who staged protests against sand mafia, in Somwarpet on Monday.
The protestors said that illegal sand mining has been carried out unabated in Kodlipete.
When JD(S) president V P Shashidhar and others staged a protest demanding the authorities to initiate action against those engaged in illegal sand mining, the police arrested the JD(S) leaders.
The workers took out a procession which passed through SBM Road-Private bus stand before culminating at taluk office. The protestors formed a human chain at Puttappa Circle and shouted slogans against the MLA, police and the government.
Addressing the protest meeting, former minister B A Jeevijaya said illegal river sand-mining continues to take place unabated in Kodlipete. The officials are neglecting the issue.
Though the government guidelines state that sand mining should not be carried out after 6 pm, sand mining takes place in the night at Hampapura. About 16 cubics of sand is transported illegally in the region, he alleged.
Jeevijaya said those who are engaged in selling sand are charging Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per load of sand. The illegal sand mining causing loss to the state exchequer.
He said all of us have the right to raise voice against injustice in democracy. However, our protests is being suppressed by the ruling BJP by arresting the JD(S) leaders.
The protestors submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner through Tahsildar on the occasion.