Udupi: Udupi Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, Assistant Commissioner Shilpa Nag, Kantharaju, accountant of Amparu village and a few others were attacked when the officials conducted a raid to track down illegal sand mining taking place near Kandluru Bridge, Kundapur taluk on Sunday midnight.

DC Priyanka Mary Francis, on receiving a tip off, arrived near the bridge along with other concerned officials close to midnight on Sunday. As soon as they reached the mining spot, some laborers from North India managed to escape. Soon after, some people came forward and attacked the officials. The Deputy Commissioner was forced to retreat, though she was accompanied by a gunman.

The people then managed to get hold of Kantharaju and beat him up. The officials were unable to help the accountant and he was rescued only after the police arrived at the spot.

It is said that the officials went to the spot by private vehicles without informing the local police. Sources say that the people attacked the Deputy Commissioner even though she introduced herself to them.

DC Priyanka later filed a complaint at the local police station and stated that she would prepare a report on the incident and submit the same to the state government for further action.

Addressing the media on the incident, Udupi district in-charge Minister, Pramod Madhwaraj said, “The raid was conducted without informing the local police and the officials reached the spot in private vehicles. The attack took place when the DC’s gunman tried to take away a person from a house nearby.”

He added that the group attacked the Deputy Commissioner and other officials without knowing their identity. He informed that he had asked concerned officers to investigate the incident immediately.

13 Arrested

As per case  registered in the town police station here for offences like murder attempt, obstructing government employees from discharging duties, assault etc. The police have arrested 13 persons on Monday April 3.