Officials with the seized sand stored at the Guttal police station
Around 3am on Oct 10, the sand was finally transported with the help of two JCB machines and two lorries.
Officials said the seized sand could not be shifted immediately as tipper trucks, lorries and JCB machines were unavailable. Authorities said vulnerable stretches along Tungabhadra River would continue to be monitored. The operation was carried out under the direction of Haveri tahsildar Sharanamma Khari. Guttal hobli revenue inspector Ravindra Malladad led the field team comprising village administrative officers Prakash Ujjini, Honnappa, Prashanth, Veeresh, Lingaraj and Vinayak. With no means to transport the stockpile, the revenue team remained on the riverbank throughout the night to guard it and prevent its removal. It was subsequently handed over to police for further action. Personnel from the mines and geology department and police also assisted in the operation.