Alwyn Jerome D’Souza, president of the Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh, was brutally assaulted by a group of sand miners near Adyar, on the city’s outskirts. The attack is believed to be in retaliation for D’Souza’s vocal opposition to illegal sand mining along the Netravati River at Pavoor Uliya. The assailants, a gang of 10 to 15 individuals, also allegedly issued death threats. D’Souza is currently recovering in a private hospital, with MLC Ivan D’Souza visiting to check on his condition.
This violent incident comes shortly after authorities raided illegal sand mining operations near Thumbe and Maripalla, where around 20 boats used for sand extraction were seized. It is reported that the attackers were attempting to remove engines from the boats when the assault occurred, with machinery also being transported in the presence of officials from the mining department and local police.
The attack is widely seen as an attempt to intimidate those standing against the region’s illegal sand trade.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader condemned the assault, calling for swift legal action. He urged police to arrest the perpetrators and ensure strict punishment under the law.
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