Police seize machinery and truck
Valpoi Police on Monday raided an illegal laterite quarry operating at Malashekarwada in the Khotoda panchayat area and seized machinery and equipment from the site. The landowner, Sadyo Yashwant Malashekar, a resident of Malashekarwada, has been booked under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
Police said they had received complaints from local residents that illegal laterite stone extraction had been ongoing in the area for the past few months. After verifying the inputs, a raid was conducted at the site, where extraction activities were found in progress.
During the operation, police seized a stone-cutting machine, a generator and a goods transport truck allegedly used to ferry the stones. Other equipment found at the site was also taken into custody.
Following preliminary inquiry, Malashekar has been charged with illegal laterite quarrying, unauthorised excavation, causing environmental damage and endangering biodiversity.
Residents had raised concerns over dust pollution, road damage and traffic inconvenience caused by the transportation of laterite stones from the site.
Police further stated that similar illegal quarrying activities are reportedly taking place in other parts of Sattari taluka and that strict action will be initiated against violators. The seized machinery remains in police custody and further investigation is underway.
