Sand mining groups threaten agitation against uniform policy

September 20, 2011

Mangalore, September 20: Sand mining groups of three coastal districts of Karnataka have threatened a stir against the State Government's move to handover the process of sand mining to the Public Works Department.

“All the sand mining contractors, lorry owners, boat owners and workers have decided to observe a sand transportation bandh and stage a mammoth protest in front of the office of DK Deputy Commissioner on September 29, if the government did not formulate separate guidelines for the coastal districts by September 28” said the office bearers of the Joint Action Committee of sand contractors, sand boat owners, workers, and building material transporters (JAC), the Sand Transporting Lorry Owners' Association (STLOA), and the Dakshina Kannada District Sand Boat Owners and Workers' Association at a joint press conference here on Tuesday.

JAC president Mayur Ullal said despite the exclusion of the three coastal districts from the Sand Policy-2011, the PWD recently called for bids.

He said only a region specific policy would fulfil local needs of local people as far as sand mining is concerned.

Mr Ullal said that the failure on part of the state government to formulate a separate sand mining policy for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Karwar could result in a near three-to-four-fold increase in rate of sand in these parts.

“At present, one lorry load of sand, locally classified as 'two units' and measuring around 200 cubic feet is available for Rs 3,000. This, the joint forum of organizations involved in sand trade, feels would go up to Rs 12,000” he added.

Sathyapal Rai, Jithendra Suvarna, KS Abdul Khader and Walter Lobo were present at the press meet.

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Deputy SP suspended over Ganesh idol procession violence in Mandya

News Network

September 20,2024

Mandya: The Deputy Superintendent of Police of Nagamangala town in Mandya district has been suspended for "negligence and dereliction of duty" in connection with the clashes that broke out between two groups during a Lord Ganesh idol procession, police said on Friday.

This is the second suspension of a police officer over the clashes on September 11 following which mobs went on a rampage targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension here.

The situation in the town has since returned to normalcy and most of the shops have started operating. However, adequate security forces continued to be stationed here as a precautionary measure, according to police.

Sumeeth A R, DySP (Nagamangala), was suspended on Thursday for negligence and dereliction of duty, Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baldandi told PTI.

"He (Sumeeth) was not present at the spot nor was he at the police headquarters when the incident occurred. He arrived late at the spot despite the sensitive nature of events," he said.

Earlier, Police Inspector Ashok Kumar posted at Nagamangala town police station was suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the violence.

A total of 55 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to police, an argument broke out between two groups, when the Ganesh idol procession by devotees from Badarikoppalu village reached a place of worship on September 11, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

The police had used mild force to disperse the crowd to control the situation.

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