Team Goemkarponn
VALPOI: Police from Valpoi Police Station cracked down on an unauthorised laterite stone quarry operating at Malashekarwada in the Khotoda panchayat area of Sattari taluka, seizing machinery and booking the landowner under relevant legal provisions.
Acting on complaints from local residents about ongoing illegal extraction over the past several months, police conducted a raid at the site and found quarrying activities underway.
During the operation, officers confiscated a stone-cutting machine, a generator and a goods carrier truck allegedly used to transport the extracted laterite stones. Additional equipment present at the location was also taken into custody.
The landowner, identified as Sadyo Yashwant Malashekar, a resident of Malashekarwada, has been charged with illegal quarrying, unauthorised excavation, environmental degradation and causing potential harm to biodiversity.
Residents of the area had voiced concerns over rising dust pollution, damage to local roads and traffic disruption caused by the frequent movement of trucks transporting laterite stones.
Police stated that reports of similar unlawful quarrying activities have surfaced from other parts of Sattari taluka and warned that stringent action will be taken against those found violating the law. The seized machinery remains in police custody as further investigation continues.
