THE GOAN NETWORK
SANGUEM
Curchorem police have registered an FIR against unknown person on charges of illegally extracting and transporting laterite stones in Sanvordem, causing a loss of Rs 50 lakh to the state exchequer.
Officials from the Department of Mines and Geology in a surprise raid on Monday at Caranguinim and Mirabag wards of Sanvordem Panchayat had seized 16 power tiller machines, 4 tipper trucks, 2 JCB machines and about 17 other mechanical equipment used in the illegal extraction of laterite stones in the area.
In their complaint to Curchorem Police, the officials pegged a loss of about Rs 50 lakh to the state exchequer as the laterite stones were mostly extracted from the government-owned lands.
Officials from the Directorate of Mines and Geology reportedly descended at the site of the illegal operations early morning, keeping the raid a secret.
It was only on reaching the spot that the mines officials reportedly intimated Curchorem Police about the raid and sought their presence for joint inspection and to conduct the panchanama.
During the surprise raid, the department succeeded in seizing several machines and heavy machinery used in the illegal extraction of the laterite stones in the locale. The raid was conducted at about 11 laterite stone quarries being illegally operated in the area.
Incidentally, the Department of Mines and Geology succeeded in seizing a large number of machines as the raid was kept secret and the police were informed only at the last minute.
After the joint site inspection, all the seized machinery was sealed and stationed at the site under strict police protection, informed sources.
