Dy Collector directs Camurlim sand extractors to stop work

MAPUSA  
Deputy Collector Gaurish Sankwalkar on Thursday directed the Camurlim
sand extractors not to conduct their business of sand extraction at Vagalim till Monday and asked the local panchayat to clarify its stand on the issue.  
In a clash between locals of Vagalim and sand extractors on Wednesday, locals opposed the administration’s decision to mark the area in Vagalim as sand extraction zone while the sand extractors said they had all permissions and even paid royalty to conduct the business.  
The deputy collector’s office witnessed some tense moments on Thursday after the families of the sand extractors expressed unhappiness on the stand taken by the Camurlim panchayat.  
Camurlim Sarpanch Vishant Gaonkar said the panchayat was not taken into confidence when the sand extraction zone was demarcated by the mines department.  
The families of sand extractors said the sarpanch should have heard their point of view before extending support to the villagers.  
A police force was called in after a group of villagers and sand extractors present in the front of government complex into heated argument on the issue.  
The deputy collector chaired the meeting which was attended by Deputy Captain of Ports, Prem Lal Sirsaikar, Assistant Geologist, Sudhir Mandrekar, Mapusa Police Inspector Tushar Lotlikar, Siolim Coastal PI Wilson D’Souza, Camurlim Sarpanch Vishant Gaonkar and others.  
Officials of the Mines Department and Captain of Ports informed that the sand extraction zone was identified by experts through scientific study and was allotted to sand extractors after completing all formalities.  
Panch Sharad Gad in his submission said the locals and the panchayat were not taken into confidence by the committee who identified the sand extraction zone.  
“There is danger to houses situated on the banks of the river. Secondly, the sluice gates and bunds could also get damaged due to the sand extraction activity and salt water could enter into the fields,” Gad said.  
President of sand extractors, Rajesh Chari, told the deputy collector that they had followed the due process of law and took all permissions from departments concerned.  
“It is our right to take up sand extraction activity in the zone which is marked by the government,” Chari submitted.  
After hearing all the stakeholders, the deputy collector ordered the sand extractors not to conduct any business until Monday.  
He assured that a report would be submitted to the North Goa Collector, who heads the committee for identification of sand extraction zone.