Udupi : Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said on Tuesday that the district administration would take strong action against illegal sand extraction activities in Udupi district.

Speaking to presspersons here, Ms. Francis said that she had got support from all the people and the government employees in the district. All these had only increased her confidence. “We will take stern steps to check all illegal activities. This is the message we have got from the support given to us,” she said.

Ms. Francis said that she would soon call a meeting of the district-level Task Force on Sand Extraction. The Task Force would decide on stern steps to be taken to check illegal sand extraction.

Asked if she had got support from senior officers and elected representatives, Ms. Francis said that she had got support from all quarters cutting across party lines. “I have got support from the entire Udupi district. Some miscreants tried to bring a bad name to the district. We should see to it that the good reputation of the district is maintained. The police have assured us of taking strong steps against such miscreants,” she said.

On the police investigation in the Kandlur case, Ms. Francis said that so far seven persons have been arrested. Who is carrying out illegal sand extraction is yet to be established. Investigation is still on, she said.

On the chances of a counter case being filed in the matter, Ms. Francis said that she did not know about it. Such developments might have taken place after she had filed a police complaint in the Kandlur incident. “Let there be investigation in that matter also. Let everything come out,” she said.

To a query, Ms. Francis clarified that she did not participate in the dharna organised by the district unit of the government employees union. “The protesters made me sit so that they could submit their memorandum. I only came to thank them (protesting government employees) for the support they have shown to me,” she said.

Asked if the sand mafia was strong in the district, Ms. Francis said that the attack took place on government employees, including village accountant, Kantharaj, and her gunman, Prithviraj, at Kandlur on April 3.

“This is an attack on me and all government employees. Hence, the government employees have come here to show their support. We should not read more into it,” she said.