Mangaluru: The district administration – led by Tahshildar and Mangaluru Rural police – seized over 20 boats, two Lorries and arrested at least six persons, based on the tip-off that a few persons continued to extract sand in the 1-km area around Pavoor Uliyakudru island on the Netravati, despite a ban.

Earlier, the district administration passed an order, dated November 28, and clamped Section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure — wherein, the administration can arrest any person breaching the order — around the island. Additionally, the order bans the setting up docks — from where sand is loaded onto trucks — in the area around the island.

The move comes after a visit by Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim where residents complained of rampant sand extraction that was bifurcating the island, increasing erosion and affecting fishing around the island. The order came out as a relief to the 58 families, around 200 residents, of the island which can be accessed only by boat.

The district administration noted that the island and its surroundings come under Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) – I category, and that permission was not accorded for sand extraction within its limits.

On Friday, P. Mohan Kumar, Tahsildar under the direction of DC A.B Ibrahim conducted a raid at 4.30am. “As soon as we arrived, those who were engaged in sand mining jumped off the boat and escaped swimming. We have seized boats, lorries and arrested six persons”, Mr. Kumar, Tahashildar told newskarnataka.com

“We have detained only the laborers. When the owners come to the station to claim their boat, we will take action against them”, he said.