Alleging apathy on the part of the police in checking illegal sand mining, a grama panchayat in Kozhikode district has approached District Collector Snenhil Kumar Singh, seeking his immediate intervention in the issue. Kodiyathur grama panchayat president Divya Shibu submitted a complaint to Mr. Singh, stating that reckless sand mining was creating huge environmental impact on the banks of the Iruvazhinji river apart from posing a threat to the lives of nearby residents.
The local body head, who expressed serious concerns over sand mining, said its impact was severe during the previous monsoon seasons when the river bank caved in at several locations. She said the illegal activity was mostly conducted during the midnight hours.
“Local residents and our elected members are scared of handling the issue independently as criminals are suspected to be a part of the sand mining gangs. Only the police or the Revenue department authorities can do something to end this,” Ms. Shibu told The Hindu on Monday. She said the complaint sent to the District Collector on March 20 has not yet evoke a favourable response.
