Cops work hand in glove with mafia: CPI leader

[1]

Sitting in his TNHB house at CIT nagar in Chennai, this octogenarian comrade puts up a brave fight against illegal sand quarrying on various riverbeds in Tamil Nadu.

Pointing to the Madras HC judgments and other constitutional provisions against illegal sand mining, CPI leader R. Nallakannu argues that successive governments in the state have failed to protect the rivers and indirectly paved the way for sand giants to ‘load’ their pockets. Excerpts:

As a campaigner against the sand mafia, what do you think are the major reasons for the failure in regulating sand mining in Tamil Nadu?

Though we have been fighting against the sand mafia for a long time, this issue comes to light only when a protester or an honest government officer is killed. The state government and sand mafia are well aware of the regulations and loopholes. Successive governments in TN have failed to curb the network of the sand mafia.

What are the major violations in sand mining?

Sand quarrying on the riverbeds is allowed only from 8 am to 6 pm. In the recent incident of Satish Kumar, killed by sand mafia in Tirunelveli last week, it is obvious the mafia operated freely in the neighbourhood. The quarry men were found digging the sand at 3.30 am. According to the HC judgment of Feb. 2011, a state-level monitoring committee has to be operated to regulate sand mining.

The committee was constituted only on paper and was not provided any office premises and staff. Gradually it would become defunct. Its chairman and members have lost interest now. The government should urgently provide amenities and make the committee function fully at least now.

Sand mining has become essential because of development of urban areas. Don’t we need more housing projects?

There is no doubt we need houses. But our neighbouring states like Kerala and AP have stringent regulations on sand mining. Using earthmovers for sand mining is completely banned there. While these states make efforts to protect their water bodies and sand resources, they build huge structures too.

Why can’t we do the same here?

The government can concentrate on research for an alternative to sand. In many instances, policemen work hand-in-glove with the sand mafia. This bad company affects the lives of people like Satish Kumar.