Ramanathapuram
Sand miners have made an alleged attempt on the life of a zonal deputy tahsildar under Sayalkudi police limit when the revenue official tried to prevent illegal sand mining and seize a tractor.
R. Senthilvel Murugan, the zonal deputy tahsildar, Kadaladi block, on being alerted about illegal sand quarrying at Karisalkulam and Kannirajapuram went to the spots with local village worker in the early hours of Friday when the sand miners attacked and tried to strangulate him putting a towel around his neck.
After he raised an alarm, local people came to his rescue after which, the sand miners escaped. The police have registered a case against the sand miners, including R Palanimurugan and four others under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 379 (theft) of IPC read with section 21 (I) of Tamil Nadu Mines and Minerals Development Regulation Act. The accused were absconding and a team has been formed to nab them.
Mr. Murugan said after making a vain bid to detain two tractors, which involved in illegal sand quarrying at Karisalkulam, he went to Kannirajapuram and blocked the tractor. After the driver ran out, he was trying to seize the vehicle when he returned along with Palanimurugan and others and attacked him.
Police, however, said that they acted tough on sand miners and seized the vehicles.
K.M. Thameem Raasa, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Revenue Officials Association, demanded the detention of the accused under the Goondas Act. Stating that revenue officials worked under unsafe conditions, especially those who take on the sand miners, he demanded adequate police protection whenever they went for raids.
