Illegal sand extractors are brazen, says Udupi DC

'They are not scared of district administration or police'

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, who was attacked during a visit to Kandlur, said she took a bold decision against illegal sand extractors following frequent complaints over rampant illegal sand mining activities in the district. 

She said most of the labourers involved in the case are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The illegal sand extractors are brazen and are not scared of either the district administration or the police. The entire administrative mechanism has failed to handle the case and illegal sand mining issues, the DC added.

Priyanka Mary said the charges against government departments, including the revenue department, are also increasing. Everyone is responsible, she said.

The deputy commissioner said she did not inform the matter to police as she did want to spread the news of attack on her.  CCTV cameras have been placed at many junctions. Every action taken to curtail the illegal sand activities and sand mafia is leaked even from the office of assistant commissioner. Though there is sufficient sand for the local use, the sand is extracted in huge quantities to transport illegally to the neighbouring district, she said.

Priyanka Mary said she never expected to encounter such a dreadful experience. She said she will be cautious henceforth and take precautionary measures before going out.

A case has been registered in Udupi town police station under IPC Section 307 on the charge of attempt to murder in this connection.

Mobile squads

The deputy commissioner  said mobile squads will be set up to clear temporary shelters at Kandlur. The beat police also have failed to arrest the sand mafia, she added. The FIR charges involve the charges of attempt to murder and obstructing the officials from discharging the duty, she said.

‘DC was attacked’

Superintendent of Police K T Balakrishna said the deputy commissioner was stopped and attacked. Seven persons have been arrested in this connection. Two different cases have been registered - one in Kundapur police  station against the six persons who were handed over by the deputy commissioner herself to the police and another in Udupi town police station. 

A counter case in the form of a medico legal case has been filed by Bhaskar Mogaveera. In his complaint, he said that his two fingers were cut as the deputy commissioner’s gunman thrashed him.

The superintendent of police said he sent the additional SP to the spot as soon as he came to know about the incident. The deputy commissioner has given a few photographs captured in the mobile phone of assistant commissioner. A task force to tackle illegal sand activities will be put to work. All action will be taken check illegal sand mining in the district, he added.