Mangaluru : To rein in those involved in illegal sand extraction and transportation, the Dakshina Kannada police have begun opening rowdy-sheets against offenders to bring them under the police surveillance net. The police are also recommending to the Regional Transport Office to cancel permits of vehicles involved in illegal transportation of sand.

Rowdy-sheets have so far been opened against 78 persons arrested for alleged theft of sand. Superintendent of Police Bhushan Gulabrao Borase said with the opening of a rowdy-sheet, the movement of these persons will be monitored by the police. Moreover, it will be mandatory for these accused persons to appear before the jurisdictional police and submit an undertaking of good behaviour when sought by the police.

Mr. Borase said that the opening of rowdy-sheets had helped police in curbing mischief mongers during his stint as Superintendent of Police in Hassan. “We hope to get similar results here,”

Mr. Borase said that police have intensified action against illegal sand extraction from riverbeds in the district. Apart from invoking provisions under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, illegal sand extraction and transportation are being considered as theft of natural resources, he said. As against 12 cases registered in 2015, the District Police registered 75 cases against illegal sand extraction and transportation in 2016.

From January 1 to April 13 in 2017, the District Police have registered 44 cases. As vehicles involved do not have permit from the Transport Department for sand transportation, Mr. Borase said, the police are recommending to the Regional Transport Office that the permit already issued be cancelled. Ruling out any political pressure, Mr. Borase said, “The sheer number of cases registered is an indication that there is no political interference in our work.”