Recently a serious issue was raised and discussed at the Village Panchayat Siolim-Marna gram sabha with regards to illegal sand mining activities being carried out at Tar old ferry ramp point. The Sarpanch said that letters have been sent to the Coastal Police for action. I am surprised that the Siolim coastal police is having its staff and office at the Siolim outpost, an impressive building but no action forthcoming.
The two Coastal police speed boats have been securely wrapped up with tarpaulin for years now. They have been resting in peace. Secondly what is the use to write to the Coastal Police as the parent department is the Legal and Mines Department which is responsible for the sand mining. They have to act now as all the local dailies have already covered the detailed discussions held in the gram sabha. Will they act now or look the other way and will the Coastal Regulation Zone authority and River Navigation Department check for the legalities of the operations?
