Telangana: Tension at Maganoor as locals stall illegal sand mining

Tension flares at Maganoor’s Peddavagu stream as farmers and youth stop illegal sand mining by a private firm. Locals allege the activity was unauthorised and harmful to water supply. Officials halt the mining after protests escalate

Narayanpet: Tension prevailed at the Peddavagu stream in Maganoor on Friday after local youth and farmers opposed illegal sand mining allegedly being carried out by a private firm. The incident triggered protests and forced officials to halt the activity.

As part of the Narayanpet–Kodangal Lift Irrigation Project, a canal pipeline manufacturing unit was established at Kachuwar village in Makthal mandal by Raghava Constructions, according to reports. On Friday, staff from the firm reportedly arrived at the Peddavagu stream with tipper trucks to transport sand to another location.

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Alerted by the movement of vehicles, local farmers and youth rushed to the site and objected to the activity, alleging that the firm was transporting sand without requisite permissions. They pointed out that earlier, the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) had undertaken sand transportation from the stream, which had adversely affected irrigation and drinking water supply in the region.

The protesters demanded that the firm procure sand only from officially designated locations permitted by TSMDC. They also alleged that the company was laying a road to facilitate illegal sand transportation from the stream. Sensing the situation could escalate, local police and Tahsildar Nagalakshmi reached the site. Heated arguments reportedly ensued between the locals and revenue officials, with residents accusing authorities of turning a blind eye to the illegal activity, reports said.

Eventually, the officials were forced to intervene and stop the sand mining following the resistance from the villagers.