A resident of Chikkadaluru in Hassan taluk has alleged that Hassan tahsildar V. Manjunath abused him and threatened arrest, for informing him over illegal sand extraction at Chikkakadaluru tank. C. Divakar of Chikkadaluru has filed a complaint with Dudda police against the officer.
A few people had been extracting sand illegally from the tank for the past few days, said Mr. Divakar. Mr. Divakar called up the tahsildar over phone on Monday evening and informed him about the sand extraction. “I had informed him about the illegal activity. The next day the officer called me back saying that my information was wrong and scolded me in foul language. The information I gave was true and the fact that the officers traced the illegally stocked sand later in the day vindicated my complaint. But, this officer threatened me of filing a complaint and getting me arrested,” he said. He also shared the audio file of his telephone conversation with mediapersons in Hassan on Wednesday.
“If an officer behaves in such a manner, how will any common man call him up to inform about illegal activities,” he questioned. He said he would complain to higher officials, up to the Chief Minister, against the tahsildar.
When The Hindu contacted tahsildar Manjunath, the officer said that acting upon the complaint he had gone to the village early morning on Tuesday. “There was no one to show us where the sand was stored. I got angry because I had gone all the way to the village in a motorbike to find the illegal stock of sand. I called him up and expressed my anger for not cooperating with my team of officers,” he said.
Further, he added that officers of the Public Works Department and police also visited the village and did find the illegal stock of sand later on the day. “There was noone to sign the mahajar, a procedure to record things seized in the presence of the public. I have worked in the Indian Army for 20 years. I respect those who give complaints about illegal activities. However, those who complain should support the officers to take necessary action,” he maintained.
