Protests over ban on sand export to Goa, Sindhudurg
THE GOAN NETWORK
BELGAVI
The Belagavi district administration's clampdown on the clandestine supply of sand and other raw material to Goa and Sindhudurg sparked off protests by hundreds of brick manufacturers, workers and sand miners at Athani on Friday.
The protesters were unhappy that the district administration had seized several vehicles, raw materials and other equipment used by brick manufacturers and sand miners in the district for violating the order imposed in the state against sand mining.
Demanding the release of their vehicles and equipment, the protests were staged in front of Athani police station, about 150 kms from Belagavi.
The protest was staged after police seized 12 tractors, two tippers full with brick manufacturing mud and a vehicle from the banks of Krishna river, where sand miners were allegedly involved in sand mining, which is now open due to summer.
Local MLAs Laxman Savadi and Raju Kage, who were supporting the protestors, said since sand mining is being allowed in Raibag and Chikkodi talukas in Belagavi district and in the neighbouring districts of Bagalkot and Bijapur, then it should not be banned in Athani either.
Speaking to media persons, Tahasildar Sankeshwari said the administration will never allow anyone to break the law which has been imposed to protect the ecology of the rivers.
DySP Chitaguppi said that cases have been registered against the unit owners.
