Public besiege lorries used for sand mining

Locals claimed that besides smuggling sand, the lorries were also plying at a high speed resulting in accidents and posing a threat to life of road users. According to villagers, they have already petitioned the district administration and other officials concerned to initiate serious steps to stop illegal mining activities on the Cauvery bed across the district. Moreover, these sand-laden lorries ply at a great speed, blaring their horns posing threat to the life of road users, especially students. They are scared to walk or ride on the road while going to reach their institutions. Though they petitioned the district administration and revenue officials regarding the illegal mining and the rash driving by lorries, no action has been initiated so far, the villagers complained Angered by the lethargy of officials and the threat by the lorries, public on Friday morning gathered on the main road in Manmangalam and besieged seven lorries. 

On information, police and revenue officials reached the spot, held talks with the villagers and assured them of action. Later, they dispersed from the spot. Meanwhile, the villagers claim that illegal sand mining is highly prevalent in Karur district. Even though there were stringent restrictions on mining in the river, a mafia continued to carry out the activities. In fact, in some places the miners have quarried upto a depth of 40 feet, which is beyond the level allowed by the government. Recently, the villagers and farmers from Vadhiyam panahayat in Karur besieged the PWD office demanding a complete ban on illegal sand mining in the region. Similar complaints have been made by the farmers in Kulithalai also.