The protesters, including women and senior citizens, alleged that despite multiple complaints to the Mines and Geology department, no action has been taken against a group of sand mafia operators who have been extracting sand using heavy machinery during the night. "The constant thunder of JCBs and tractors has destroyed our riverbank. Our wells are drying up, and the bridge pillars are showing cracks," said R. Mahesh, a local farmer.
Angry villagers of Harohalli blocking the highway with empty sand sacks and logs; police personnel seen negotiating. If you need this for the print/e-paper layout (Kannada version), please reply "Kannada script needed" and I will provide the same in Kannada Unicode text.
Following the protest, which caused a three-hour-long traffic jam, Deputy Commissioner Dr. K. Harish Kumar rushed a team of revenue and police officials to the spot. The DC told Mysooru Mithra , "A spot inspection has been ordered. Strict action will be taken against any official found complicit. FIRs will be registered against the illegal operators by tomorrow evening." mysooru mithra epaper
Locals specifically accused a former panchayat member of shielding the operators in exchange for a monthly "haulage fee" of nearly ₹2 lakh. "We have video evidence of trucks passing the check post without inspection. The officials on duty are either blind or bought," alleged Gowramma, a ward member.
The protest was called off after the Tahsildar gave a written assurance to initiate a survey of the affected river belt. Meanwhile, the District Mining Officer remained unavailable for comment. The protesters, including women and senior citizens, alleged
Since this is an English request for a Kannada e-paper, I have written the article in English (as many epapers have English editions/briefs). If you need the Kannada script version , please let me know. Headline: Illegal Sand Mining Haunts T Narasipur; Locals Stage Roadblock
Tension prevailed in T Narasipur taluk on Sunday as residents of Harohalli village staged a spontaneous roadblock on the Mysuru-Chamarajanagar highway, protesting against rampant illegal sand mining along the Kapila riverbed. Mahesh, a local farmer
MM Correspondent