NECF to approach ACB regarding sand mafia

NECF to approach ACB regarding sand mafia

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 07, 2018: National Environment Care Federation (NECF) state secretary stated that the federation will lodge a complaint against sand mafia to Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

Speaking to media persons in Udupi the secretary said the unabated sand extraction has taken a toll on river beds. The sand mafia has looted Rs 14,500 crore and a complaint will be filed before ACB Court which will be opened in Udupi in January.

He said CRZ is an international law and it cannot be revised according to the convenience of the politicians and their followers. As per CRZ 1, up to 500 metres and as per the CRZ II, until there is salt content in the water, the sand should not be extracted. The traditional boats can be used to extract sand and clear the sand blocks if the movement of boats is hindered, he said.

He accused that the sand mafia of overpowering the law and added that illegal activities being is carried out rampantly. The labourers are brought from the states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for sand extraction, he alleged.

He said that one  foot of sand is accumulated in 80 years.  He accused the Udupi MLA of supporting the sand mafia and is behaving ignorantly over the law.

“Even a few officials are involved in illegal activities by supporting the sand mafia. Sand is illegally transported to the other district and states. In one year, 9,87,179 tonnes of sand was extracted. There are no takers for sand extraction in non-CRZ area as the availability of sand is less in the area,” he felt.