VELLORE: A group of alleged sand smugglers verbally abused a Village Assistant (VA) wielding dangerous weapons for confiscating a bullock cart full of sand being smuggled from the Palar River. Residents of the town came to the rescue of the official and chased the goons away.
Village Assistant Subramani intercepted a bullock cart in the Bazaar area that was allegedly smuggling sand from Palar riverbed. On seeing the VA, the sand smugglers fled from the spot, leaving the bullock cart behind. The official confiscated the cart and took it to the Tahsildar’s office.
Sand smugglers Raja and Shanmugam of Develapuram and their supporters hearing that their bullock cart had been confiscated came in search of the VA wielding deadly weapons. They picked up a quarrel with the VA and verbally abused him. On seeing the gang harassing the official, residents of Ambur town gathered in large numbers and chased the smugglers from the spot.
The locals claimed that the police personnel were hand-in glove with the smugglers and were not taking any action against them despite complaints.
Police indifference has encouraged smugglers too to confront the public and officials. They even dare to attack government employees in broad daylight for confiscating their vehicle, claimed sources.
Subramani filed a complaint with Ambur Town Police Station regarding the incident. The police registered a case against the sand smugglers and launched a search for them.