Illegal sand mines raided

A team of senior officers, led by Devanahalli tahsildar N C Venkataraju and Geology and Mining Department officer Dayanand, raided several places across Devanahalli taluk where illegal sand mining was rampant.

Owners of several farm lands and their workers, fled the spot as news of raids spread. The team seized a sand-laden truck, two empty trucks, more than 35 loads of sand and other materials. Raids were conducted at Misaganahalli, Thailagere, Sonnenahalli, Muddnayakanalli, Chikkagollahalli and Byadarahalli.

A truck loaded with sand and two empty trucks coming from Karahalli were seized. A farm land taken on lease for illegal sand mining was seized, pipes supplying water to facilitate illegal mining was disconnected, two motors used to pump water dismantled and a 40 megawatt power generator was seized.

Venkataraju said that a meeting of officers would be convened on February 12 to discuss an action plan to end illegal sand mining permanently. Two raids would be conducted twice a week.