Team Herald
Valpoi: Mining Department officials carried out a raid on an illegal laterite quarry in Pisurlem earlier this week, but no machinery was seized as the excavation work was not ongoing during the raid. However, officials have recommended that the Valpoi police lodge a complaint against the land owner.
Although no equipment was seized, it has become clear that illegal excavation of laterite stone in the taluka has resumed. There are allegedly 50 such places in Sattari where illegal mining is being carried out and the business has only grown over the last 10 years. The locals have tried to raise their voices against this on various occasions, but have been threatened by the quarry owners each time.
A certain incident of illegal stone excavation in South Goa has attracted widespread attention as the case is currently being fought in the High Court of Bombay at Goa. This had raised doubts over the mining department's credibility and so, action against illegal quarrying in Sattari has been ramped up. While the local police and Sattari Mamlatdar have been given authority to act against these illegal activities, the trucks carrying the stones pass by the Honda police station in a brazen manner.
According to sources, social worker from the area Hanumant Parab had complained about the matter to various authorities, but no action was taken.