the goan I network
MARGAO
In a major operation against illegal sand mining in Salcete taluka, teams comprising of the department of Mines, Captain of Ports, Salcete Mamlatdar and the police raided several places on the banks of river Zuari and River Sal and seized trucks laden with sand and country made canoes with motors used for mining.
Led by Salcete Mamlatdar, John Fernandes, the raids were conducted at Borim, Curtorim, Chandor and Assolna throughout Monday following complaints that illegal sand mining was carried out rampantly in these areas. Three sand-laden trucks were seized, two at Assolna and one at Curtorim.
At Assolna, apart from the two trucks, the authorities also attached country made canoes with inbuilt
motor used for sand mining.
Salcete Mamlatdar John Fernandes told The Goan that the raids were part of a joint operation carried out by the department of Mines and Captain of Ports following complaints of illegal sand mining. “The department of Mines had received a complaint from the village Panchayat of Assolna that illegal sand mining was taking place at the River Sal near the Assolna bridge. Accordingly, the departments conducted the joint raid and found two trucks at the site laden with sand. The coastal police has been told to take custody of the country made boats with inbuilt motors till further orders”, he said.
At Curtorim, the Mamlatdar pointed out that the team conducted raids at two places and found a truck laden with sand plying in the area. “When the team asked for documents from the driver, he could not produce any. Hence, the truck was attached”, he said.
The team also made its presence felt at two places Chandor following complaints of illegal sand mining, but could not detect any
machinery or trucks. Officials of the department of mines had in the past conducted raids in the village and had found country made boats with inbuilt motors used for the purpose of illegal sand mining.
The raid conducted at Borim, however, did not yield any result as only a group of workers were spotted at the site, who were preparing to head home.
Assolna Sarpanch Xavier Almeida told The Goan at the sand mining site on the banks of river Sal that the Assolna Panchayat had lodged a complaint with the department against illegal sand mining. He pointed out that fishermen had complained to the Panchayat that the illegal sand mining in River Sal was posing danger to the fishing community. “Taking cognizance of the complaint lodged by the fishing community, the panchayat had written to the department of mines to reign in on the illegal activity”, Xavier said.
OPERATION
MONDAY
Raids conducted at Borim, Curtorim, Chandor & Assolna
Three sand-laden trucks seized, two at Assolna, one at Curtorim
Authorities also attach country-made canoes with inbuilt motors
Raids part of joint operation carried out by Mines Dept & Captain of Ports
