Pump operator hurt in assault by sand smugglers in Vellore village

Locals say trouble started on Monday morning after sand smugglers started quarrying from seven mines on the river near their village. This also resulted in damage to drinking water pipes. Ravi (52), a pump operator, objected to the act of the smugglers and a heated argument ensued. 

Later, Ravi went home. Angered by this, some of the smugglers went to Ravi’s house and thrashed him before bringing him back to the quarry site,” Dasarathan, a local, said. When news spread about the detention of Ravi, residents numbering around 400 went to the quarry site rescued the pump operator and also caught three smugglers, who were tied up in the village. 

Former Anaicuttu MLA M Kalaiarasu alleged that Virinjipuram police station SI Satish Kumar, who had gone to the site, beat up Ravi without any provocation. On information, police reached the village and rescued the smuggler trio. 

Ravi, who had suffered injuries in the assault by smugglers, was sent to the Vellore government medical college hospital at Adukamparai. Police pickets have been posted at Anpoondi. An uneasy calm prevailed in the village even as the cops tried to broker peace between the villagers and sand smugglers.