'Cops asked not to interfere in sand mining issue'

Additional Superintendent of Police Shivakumar has said that the police department has received directions from the district administration not to interfere in sand mining issue and according to new sand policy, the matter will be dealt by revenue, environment, and mines and geology departments, based on the documents provided by the mining owner, Assistant Commissioner and the Tahsildar.

He was replying to a query on alleged illegal mining at some parts of Bantwala taluk, at the monthly Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe grievances meet at the SP office on Sunday. As the sand miners had opposed the interruption by the police department, the Deputy Commissioner has decided to form a committee to enquire into the issue and public can share their grievances before the committee, he said.

Home guards in trouble

Belthangady Taluk Aadivaasi Malekudiya Trust Secretary Sudhakar has alleged that about 15 home guards appointed at Benthangady region in last September 9 are not getting salary in time. “The government has fixed a mere amount of Rs 250 per day as honorarium for them and it is also not being credited in time. The officials have said that they have not got the attendance list to pay the amount. The department should solve the problem and the honorarium amount should be increased,” he said.

On Naxal package

Sudhakar demanded that the Naxal package which is meant for the people of Naxal-affected area should not be misused. Only 12 villages of the area are benefited by the package, so it should be renamed as ‘Aadivaasi package’ which would help tribes, who are actually affected by Naxal activities, to get the benefits.

He also wanted proper investigation into the car burning incident at Kuduremukh National Park area resident Ramachandra Bhat’s home, on November 8. “Bhat has given statement that tribes are involved in the incident. Looking into the circumstances, there is a strong doubt about his statement. There should be an investigation before distributing the compensation,” he said.   
 
Dalit leader P Keshav expressed concern over the misuse of Dalit atrocity case. In many incidents, when the accused gets ‘B’ report, the victim faces harassment again. The police department should work on creating awareness about the law, he said. Senior Dalit Leader M A Naik requested the police to solve Dalit atrocity cases which are pending in Puttur sub-division, from last 4 to 5 years.