Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar

Brahmavar, Apr 26: Following intense protests by villagers, victims, and farmers against unscientific and illegal sand mining, the Lokayukta police, led by Mangaluru division SP Dinesh Kumar BP, visited the Seetha river area in Nagaramata, Hosala village, near Barkur in Brahmavar taluk.

The team visited the site on Wednesday and Thursday to investigate various allegations made by locals regarding unscientific mining operations. Following the two-day field inspection, activists were summoned to the Lokayukta office in Udupi on Friday for further verification of documents and information gathering.

According to reliable sources, the contractor, Kusha Kumar—who had been carrying out mining operations under police protection despite constant protests—was also summoned to the office for questioning.

As a result of this intervention, local residents reported that the sand mining activities, which had been ongoing for the past two weeks, came to an abrupt halt on Saturday. The movement of hundreds of trucks transporting sand has stopped, bringing relief to the locals who had been protesting for 15 days.

During their visit, the Lokayukta police gathered information from the victims who have opposed the mining since its inception. It was observed that while permission was granted to extract sand up to a depth of one metre, workers were diving three to four metres deep. The police also noted that this excessive mining has resulted in the groundwater in nearby wells turning salty.

Furthermore, the team verified complaints that tipper trucks were transporting six tonnes of sand while only three tonnes were recorded in the trip sheets. Protesting women also presented their grievances to the officers.

The DySP recorded detailed statements from six individuals, including a woman activist, at the Udupi Lokayukta office. The police have assured that notices will be issued to the concerned parties and further legal action will be initiated.

Prior to the Lokayukta’s intervention, the victims and farmers had held a three-day sit-in protest at the mining site, followed by a six-day hunger strike in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Manipal. Although the protest was temporarily suspended due to permission issues, locals expressed hope that the Lokayukta’s involvement would lead to a permanent solution.