Illegal Sand Mining Operation Busted Near Kandloor Bridge: 11 Arrested, Boats Seized
Kundapur: In a decisive operation targeting illegal sand mining activities, the Kundapur Rural Police have apprehended eleven individuals and seized four boats in connection with the unlawful extraction of sand from the Varahi River near the Kandloor Bridge.
Acting on credible intelligence, a team led by Kundapur Circle Inspector Santosh A. Kaykini executed a raid at approximately 2:00 a.m. on February 10th. The operation focused on the area beneath the Kandloor Bridge, where illicit sand loading activities were reportedly taking place.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement, individuals involved in the illegal operation attempted to evade capture by abandoning the boats and retreating into the dense vegetation along the riverbank. Undeterred, police personnel utilized boats from the Halnadu KRIDL sand jetty to reach the location, secure the four sand-laden vessels, and apprehend the suspects. The seized boats and detainees were subsequently transported to the riverbank for further investigation.
During the course of interrogation, the arrested individuals identified themselves as daily-wage laborers employed at the Halnadu KRIDL sand jetty. They confessed to illegally extracting sand from the river at night, motivated by the promise of higher compensation for superior-quality sand allegedly offered by the jetty owner, Sunil Shetty, and supervisor, Ajmal. The laborers admitted to crossing the designated geo-fencing boundary in pursuit of this illicit activity.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ramshankar Rajbir (35), Ramkumar (40), Govind Chaudhari (26), Shivmuni (32), Junna Rajbir (35), Satyadev (30), Kamlesh Nishad (35), Santosh Nishad (23), Omprakash Rajbir (34), and Ramesh Rajbir (35), along with one other individual.
Authorities have seized four boats, each estimated to be worth Rs 75,000, approximately 3.5 units of illegally mined sand valued at Rs 4,500, and four bamboo poles used in the operation.
A formal case has been registered at the Kundapur Rural Police Station under Crime No. 08/2026, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the MMDR Act, and the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules. All those implicated in the illegal operation, including the jetty supervisor, Ajmal, have been taken into custody and will be presented before the court.
Further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the operation and bring all responsible parties to justice.