Granite issue: 2 vehicles seized with documents

The Madurai rural police on Sunday seized two passenger vehicles carrying several documents at Keezhavalavu near here. The Superintendent of Police, V. Balakrishnan, formed a special team, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, to deal with the alleged irregularities in granite mining.

The vehicles were seized after they were intercepted by the police based on a tip-off. Police found documents, which included photocopies of a register, sale and lease deeds, patta pass books and quarry sketches, in the vehicles.

They suspect that the intention would have been to shift the documents elsewhere in the wake of raids conducted by revenue and police officials. One person has been arrested in this connection.

Mr. Balakrishnan said that the special team had been formed for collection of documents from granite companies and assessment of mining violations, in association with Assistant Director of Mines and revenue officials. This would minimise the burden on the local police, who could now concentrate on their routine work.

Meanwhile, Collector Anshul Mishra, inspected granite units at Malampatti, Keezhavalavu and Keezhaiyur in Melur taluk. During the inspection it was found that two lorries with the same registration plates were parked on the premises of a granite unit at Keezhavalavu. The vehicles were seized and case registered. The Collector, according to official sources, has formed thirty teams to assess the quantum of granite stocked in the yard of an export unit at Therkutheru. The assessment will begin on Monday.