Four earthmoving equipment and two tipper lorries, used for lifting soil illegally from a rural tank at Iyampuli village in Palani block, were seized here on Wednesday. Acting on a tip off, a special team led by Tahsildar S. Rajendran, inspected Iyampuli rural tank and saw a group of people lifting soil from the waterbody using earthmovers and tipper lorries. On seeing the team, several workers fled the spot.
When the team conducted enquiries, a few workers showed the permit meant for lifting soil in other tanks and justified their stand. But the tahsildar seized the equipment and lorries and brought them to the Palani police station. Further investigation is on. No permission was given to lift soil from this tank so far, said Mr. Rajendran.