Former Pinapaka MLA Rega Kantha Rao alleged large-scale illegal sand mining in agency areas of the district and accused the state government of diverting mining-related funds meant for local development. Announcing a phased agitation under the BRS banner, he said protests, road blockades and a siege of the Collectorate would be organised between October 12 and November 5.
A Namasthe Telangana journalist and a photographer were allegedly attacked while covering illegal sand transportation in the River Krishna in Narayanpet. The TUWJ & IJU condemned the incident, demanded legal action against the accused and sought better protection for journalists
A 35-year-old man died in Kothagudem district after sand trucks blocked an ambulance from reaching his village. The victim’s family was forced to carry him on their shoulders, sparking furious local demands for action against the sand mafia
Tension flared at Sompalli sand ramp in Burgampad mandal after villagers opposing illegal sand mining were attacked by ramp operators. A constable and a Home Guard sustained minor injuries when a speeding sand truck hit their two-wheeler while returning from the site.
A second check dam across the Manair river in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district was found damaged, raising suspicions of deliberate sabotage. Locals blamed sand mafia, citing low water flow, while irrigation officials ruled out flooding and moved to lodge a police complaint.
A fact-finding committee led by irrigation expert V. Prakash alleged a conspiracy behind the demolition of the Manair river check dam between Thanugula and Gumpula. The committee claimed the sand mafia blasted the dam using detonators to facilitate illegal sand transport.
BRS senior leader T Harish Rao has accused the Congress regime in Telangana of routinely demolishing check dams and tanks, allegedly under the influence of a sand mafia. Inspecting a damaged check dam on the Manair River, he criticised the government for failing to construct new dams in the past two years and for not acting against those responsible for demolitions in Peddapalli and Nirmal districts.
Karimnagar Collector Pamela Satpathy and CP Gaush Alam inspected the damaged Manair check dam following allegations that the sand mafia blasted it for illegal sand transport. Forensic experts collected samples, and further action will depend on their report. Union MoS Bandi Sanjay Kumar called for a state-wide inquiry
A check dam built across the Manair river near Gumpula in Odela mandal collapsed under suspicious circumstances, sparking speculation among locals. While some alleged the sand mafia was behind the incident to resume quarrying banned by the Green Tribunal, others suggested structural leakages caused the failure.
He told the district administration to establish a special task force involving police, revenue and mining departments to control illegal mining and transportation of sand
