Nexus between sand mafia and officials seen

Proddatur (Kadapa): The incident that took place in Proddatur on Thursday reportedly proved the collusion of police and higher officials in sand mafia. Immediately after knowing that Municipal officials have stopped illegal sand transport from Penna River in Proddatur, one police officer came to the spot and released three trucks by threatening them.

Later, the officials seized another three trucks and were shocked to get phone call from the Secretariat. They reported the entire incident to the District Collector Kona Sashidhar, who personally started a probe into the matter.

The Penna River that was once full with water during 1996 is slowly drying up without rainfall. The sand of this river has good demand in the market. One truck load sand will cost about Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 and one tractor load of sand costs about Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 in the open market.

Sand mafia leaders with the support of certain police officers are indulging in illegal sand transport unabatedly.