The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Court tells Collector to check on sand mining

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Saturday, Sep 08, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Court tells Collector to check on sand mining

Special Correspondent

Interim direction on a PIL petition filed by a farmer

Collector told to submit report within two weeks
Petitioner claims farms affected by quarrying

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Thiruvallur District Collector to inspect the Bangaru Channel in Poonamallee taluk and ascertain whether illegal sand mining is going on there.

The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice P. Jyothimani, gave the interim direction on Friday on a public interest litigation petition filed by a farmer, T.V. Sambandan of Thirumazhilisai.

“The District Collector… shall submit a report to the court within two weeks,” the Bench said. It posted the matter to September 25 for further proceedings.

The petitioner contended that farmers in the Sembarambakkam area were adversely affected by indiscriminate and illegal mining of sand. Referring to two earlier PIL petitions, he said on both occasions authorities registered a couple of cases and did not pursue the issue further.

He said illegal sand mining was continuing in the area and sand was being quarried from a depth of 20 feet on the riverbanks. When a legal notice was issued to the authorities concerned, urging them to prevent illegal quarrying, farmers in the area were threatened by politicians and those involved in the racket. Teak, coconut and other trees on the banks were being cut and removed by these operators, he said, adding that authorities were aware of the activities.

Mr. Sambandan wanted the court to appoint an advocate commission to ascertain the extent of damage caused.

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