PERNEM
Striking a blow to illegal sand mining activities, a canoe seized in 2020 was destroyed by mining officials at Naibag-Poraskadem on Tuesday. The canoe was one of 26 boats seized after allegedly being involved in illegal sand extraction in 2020.
A team of mining officials had gone to the site to take action against these canoes in accordance with the high court orders, but the locals objected to their action.
The officials could demolish only one canoe, and later sought police assistance to seek protection while carrying out action against the remaining canoes.
The Pernem police along with DySP Vivek Haldankar rushed to the site and the mining officers informed them about the incident.
They said the remaining canoes will be destroyed in the presence of police on Wednesday.
Gajanan Teli, whose canoe was destroyed by the mining officials, sought to know why action had been taken on the canoes seized in 2020, and why was his canoe first.
Alleging there are other canoes involved in sand mining, Teli complained that action was taken only against his boat. Teli said action should be equal to all.
Mining official Vinay Shirodkar warned that if any canoe is found in the water, local police would act and the boats would be destroyed as per high court order.
“We have taken similar action in many other places in Goa, and will continue doing so,” warned Shirodkar.
