Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, May 17: The personnel of Kandlur police station, who came to know about some illegal sand extraction, took the people conducting this activity into custody. Angered by this measure, illegal sand extractors vandalized the police station and threw stones at the building on the night of Thursday, May 16. The area turned tense as the police station was damaged in the incident. Additional police personnel including reserve police force were deployed to control the situation.
Relating to the incident, Betti Shahid, Zakir Hussain, Tabreez and Shaqir stand arrested. The police are searching for the other culprits.
Although strict rules are in force about sand extraction, illegal sand extraction has been going on unhindered in Kandlur area. This activity was going on Thursday too. After receiving reliable information about this activity, a police team led by sub-inspector, Sridhar Naik, noticed that sand was being transported at dusk on Thursday in a Maruti Omni van. They stopped the vehicle, and took the accused to the police station.
On learning about the incident, the mischief mongers, in support of the arrested man, assembled in front of the police station and demanded for the release of the accused and his vehicle. But sub-inspector, Sridhar Naik, insisted that the accused would not be released and case would be registered against him. Infuriated by the stand taken by the police, the miscreants threw stones at the roof of the police station. While the police tried to arrest the miscreants, they took into possession four motor bikes. Other protesters ran away from the spot.
As there was perception about the police station coming under attack at night again, reserve police personnel were deployed around the station. Udupi district superintendent of police, Nisha James, visited the spot and scrutinized the incident. In the meanwhile, the police are trying to arrest the other accused who attacked the police station.
It may be recalled that a gang of illegal sand extractors had attacked the then deputy commissioner of the district, Priyanka Mary Francis, sub-divisional officer, Shilpa Nag, and revenue department employee, Kantharaj, at Kandlur on April 2, 2017.
27 persons were arrested then and first information report had been filed against 50 persons. Some local politicians had supported the illegal sand miners then. The current incident has given rise to apprehension and worry. The police have registered case against the arrested persons in Kandlur police station.