In a late night operation, the Revenue department officials have seized as many as 29 trucks, which were used for gravel quarrying in violation of rules at Soodiyur village near here.
Following complaints that the contractor who obtained permission for quarrying gravel in private patta lands at the village misused the permit and violated rules, a revenue team, led by Tahsildar Syed Mohamed visited the site on Wednesday night and seized the vehicles.
Though permission was given to quarry gravel for one metre depth in the permitted 4.67 acres of land, that too only during the day time, the contractor, allegedly misusing the permit, quarried gravel round-the-clock, violating the guidelines, Mr. Mohamed said.
After he launched the surprise check, the drivers entered into a wordy duel with him and drove the vehicles, menacingly advancing towards him, while attempting to escape, he said.
Threat
After he sought police assistance, the local Inspector of Police helped him in the operation, he said.
He has lodged a complaint with the police against some truck drivers, who held out threat to his life, Mr. Mohamed said.
He was accompanied in the operation by Revenue Inspectors Gokul and Iyappan and local Village Administrative Officer (VAO) Anbunathan.
With the help of available drivers, the team seized five vehicles on Wednesday night and 25 other trucks on Thursday with the help of revenue staff, he said.
The revenue department, after assessing the extent of violation would take further action, he said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that quarrying has been taken up in adjacent lands also, Mr. Mohamed added. The contractor was given permission for a period of one year from May 23, 2016 to May 22, 2017 for quarrying gravel for road laying work in Sivaganga and Madurai, he said.
Revenue department, after assessing the extent of violation would take further action said Tahsildar
