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Raid on illegal laterite quarry at Khotoda
Raid on illegal laterite quarry at Khotoda
Police seize machinery and truck
THE GOAN NETWORK VALPOI
Published Mar 4
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Valpoi Police on Monday raided an illegal laterite quarry operating at Malashekarwada in the Khotoda panchayat area and seized machinery and equipment from the site. The landowner, Sadyo Yashwant Malashekar, a resident of Malashekarwada, has been booked under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
Police said they had received complaints from local residents that illegal laterite stone extraction had been ongoing in the area for the past few months. After verifying the inputs, a raid was conducted at the site, where extraction activities were found in progress.
During the operation, police seized a stone-cutting machine, a generator and a goods transport truck allegedly used to ferry the stones. Other equipment found at the site was also taken into custody.
Following preliminary inquiry, Malashekar has been charged with illegal laterite quarrying, unauthorised excavation, causing environmental damage and endangering biodiversity.
Residents had raised concerns over dust pollution, road damage and traffic inconvenience caused by the transportation of laterite stones from the site.
Police further stated that similar illegal quarrying activities are reportedly taking place in other parts of Sattari taluka and that strict action will be initiated against violators. The seized machinery remains in police custody and further investigation is underway.
Truck owners from Sanvordem on Tuesday urged the government to immediately resume mining activities in the Sanvordem region, warning that they would be compelled to launch an agitation if their demands are not addressed at the earliest.Addressing a meeting, the truckers said that for the past several months their vehicles have remained idle due to the halt in mining operations, leaving them without any source of income and pushing many families into severe financial…
