Residents have alleged that sand is being illegally extracted from Doddakere at Sarjapur. more-in Residents of Sarjapur, while staging a protest against illegal extraction of sand from Doddakere on Sunday, gathered at the spot only to discover that offenders had brought in earthmovers. Sand extraction continued through the protest. Alerted by the residents, the Sarjapur police arrived at the spot and seized two earthmovers. A case was registered against unidentified individuals. Sriramulu, former president of the Sarjapur Gram Panchayat who led the protest, said he had received threat calls from a history-sheeter of the area asking him not to meddle with sand extraction. “There are CCTV cameras installed in the lake area by people carrying out illegal activities to monitor the extraction and transportation of sand. This shows the impunity with which it is being carried out. We want police and Revenue officials to not only put an end to the practice but also take stringent action against people behind this,” he said. ‘Characteristics lost’ Sand extraction has been going on for over four years and the lake area has lost its characteristics, Jagadishwar, a local resident, said. Mr. Sriramulu alleged that those involved in sand extraction had also blocked ‘raja kaluve’ inlets into the lakes, essentially leaving it dry for years. Residents are now planning a rally on October 30 to demand that the 204-acre Doddakere be rejuvenated.

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