12 Naval officers injured, 4 critically in clash with illegal sand miners

29 January 2019 06:39 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Twelve Navy officers were injured, four critically, during a clash that took place when naval officers confronted illegal sand miners at Kandakadu in Kinniya this morning, the Navy said.

Navy Spokesman Isuru Suriyabandara said shots were fired persons who were mining sand illegally attempted to resist the navy personnel who raided the site.

He said the illegal sand miners were thought to have attacked the STF and Navy officers as a pre-planned move.

However, we will be increasing the number of officers when raiding more areas where illegal sand mining is taking place.

The Navy fired into the air to quell a tense situation that had arisen between some naval personnel and illegal sand miners at Kandakadu in Kinniya this morning

He said the Navy and the STF are frequently conducting raids on illegal sand mining in the Mahaweli River basin on the instructions of the President and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.

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Comments - 8

Saradiel Tuesday, 29 January 2019 07:10 PM

Why no mention about what happened to the illegal miners? Did they escape after injuring the officers and 4 critically at that? Poor reporting.

Kalu Tuesday, 29 January 2019 09:59 PM

They jumped to the sea but the Muslim gang started to attack the naval camp.

Raj K Tuesday, 29 January 2019 08:28 PM

This is a big issue in Kachai Jaffna too, where the organized criminal gangs, with the section of the villagers acting as lookouts, making easy money. Some police OIC's turn a blind eye and refuse to take complains, makes one wonder if they might be in the gang's pay lists. Imagine if they could do this to Navy officers what threat they pose to the genuine land owners of these properties?

SL Wednesday, 30 January 2019 09:22 AM

if they act,this is the out come,no protection from law makers to law enforcement to enforce the low

Ram Wednesday, 30 January 2019 01:08 AM

Politicians provide cover to sand miners and even caught the sentences the courts give are palatable for them. Not tough enough

nsathees Wednesday, 30 January 2019 03:26 AM

Don't the navy know that they could shoot the person who is trying to attack them? Educate the Navy the situation they could use the service weapons.

sunil vijaya Wednesday, 30 January 2019 07:03 AM

shoot at sight - poachers, miners, forest clearers etc. and eliminate corrupt lawyers who back them up.

nim Wednesday, 30 January 2019 07:48 AM

must be corruption a factor. this is a millions of dollar business in south india, mainly in tamil nadu where the current rulers made millions of dollars from illegal sand mining

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12 Naval officers injured, 4 critically in clash with illegal sand miners

Comments - 8

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