At least three bullock carts with sand were seized in Kanai hamlet near Villupuram, in a crackdown on sand smugglers, after Express reported that a ban on mining in the district had failed to curb illegal sand mining.
Police said the persons who were riding the bullock carts were also detained. “The bullock carts would be released after a fine is paid. If they are found engaging in sand smuggling again, legal action would be taken against them,” the SI of Kanai police station said.
Express, in these columns, had reported on Saturday that although a ban has been in force since October 13, many bullock carts were seen transporting loads of sand in the heart of the town. Several carts were seen in the middle of the town, after crossing the RDO office, tashildar’s office as well as the traffic police stations. A few cart owners were also carrying out business near the West police station.
The district authorities, in a bid to control sand mining, temporarily banned all such mining activities and issued instructions for all earthmovers and tipper lorries to be removed from sand mining yards.