Mineral sand mining rampant in Alappuzha

ALAPPUZHA: The piling of mineral sand from the seashore between Thottappally and Arattupuzha panchayats in the coastal belt of the district has been increased recently. Though many complaints were filed, the mining mafia has been working without any hurdles allegedly with the support of the police.Thrikunnapuzha panchayat president S Vinod Kumar said that the Revenue Department and the police were supporting the mafia. “The mafia has been smuggling the sand with the help of quotation gangs,” said Mohanan, a resident of Arattupuzha.  “The sand piled during day time will be transported to other places in mini vehicles like autorickshaws in the night. If anybody tries to prevent the vehicles, the gang will threaten them,” Mohanan said.  The Karthikappally taluk sabha has repeatedly asked the police to prevent the  smuggling. A number of incidents of attack by quotation gangs was reported in the area. The houses of Noushad, Moosaril House, Pallana, and Iqbal, Panoor, were attacked recently. The relatives of Nazeer, whose hand was chopped off by sand mafia on Thursday, were also attacked recently by the gang. They had also broken the glasspane of a KSRTC  bus.  “Owing to the sand excavation, sea erosion was high in areas like Pallana and Panoor,” said Iqbal, a resident of Pallana.  “The price of the sand was fixed by the mafia. It costs Rs 2,000 for a small autorickshaw, in a load carrier it costs Rs 3,000 and for pick-up van and other big vehicle the price is Rs 5,000,” said Sali, Thrikunnapuzha panchayat member.