Byndoor: Police have registered two separate cases of alleged illegal quarrying of laterite stones in Byndoor taluk, booking two persons for operating without licences. The accused have been identified as Manoj Mogaveera (43) and Vijay Shetty (35), both residents of coastal villages in the region.

Two separate raids conducted

According to police sources, the cases were registered under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 4 and 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by police sub-inspector B.N. Timmesha conducted raids at two different locations on Sunday.

In the first case, the team visited a site in Badki of Golihole village, where laterite stone quarrying was reportedly being carried out on government land. At the site, officers found Manoj Mogaveera, who allegedly admitted that he did not possess a licence for extracting stones.

Equipment and materials seized

Police found that around 60 ft by 40 ft of land had been dug up to a depth of about 3 ft. The team seized a mini tiller, 30 iron rods, and an iron hammer used for excavation. Mogaveera reportedly confessed to having extracted about 300 laterite stones and sold them without authorisation.

In a separate raid, the police visited a site in Kappadi of Kalthodu village, where Vijay Shetty was found involved in a similar illegal quarrying activity. Officers observed that an area measuring 40 ft by 40 ft had been dug up to a depth of 8 ft.

From the site, police seized 200 laterite stones worth ₹5,500, along with a power tiller engine fitted with a trolley and a mini stone-cutting tiller. Shetty too allegedly admitted that he had no licence for extracting or selling the stones.

Case registered and investigation underway

Following the seizures, both accused were booked under relevant sections of law, and cases were registered at the Byndoor police station. Authorities said they are intensifying vigilance against unauthorised extraction of laterite stones, which has been reported in several coastal and rural parts of the district.

The investigation is ongoing to determine whether others are involved in the operation and to assess the extent of environmental damage caused by the illegal quarrying.