Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has directed the state DGP to completely curb illegal mining, storage, and transportation of sand across the State, his office said on Monday.

Based on this direction, the Director General of Police (DGP) has issued a comprehensive circular to all Police Commissioners, Inspector Generals of Police, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, and Superintendents of Police to ensure strict enforcement with regard to sand mining, storage and sales, officials said on Monday.

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According to a statement from the minister's office, illegal sand mining not only causes severe environmental damage but also adversely affects law and order and results in significant loss of government revenue.

The government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards such illegal activities, and the circular has been issued to ensure strict and uniform enforcement across the state, it said.

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"Illegal sand mining and transportation are not merely the plundering of the state's natural resources; they are serious offences that pose a challenge to law and order and the larger public interest. The government will not tolerate any illegal activity. Clear directions have been issued to the Police Department to enforce the law strictly and take firm legal action against the offenders," Kharge said.

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The circular directs the District and Taluk-level task forces already constituted to function more effectively, it said.

"It clearly states that the responsibility of identifying areas where illegal sand mining is taking place, maintaining constant surveillance, preventing illegal transportation and storage, and initiating legal action rests with the concerned police officers," the statement said.

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The statement said that police officers have also been instructed to coordinate closely with the Departments of Mines and Geology, Revenue, and Forest to prevent illegal transportation of sand, particularly along inter-state routes and border areas.

They have also been directed to ensure that investigation and enforcement centres function effectively and quickly to bring any shortage of essential infrastructure to the notice of the concerned department.

"No one is above the law. Stringent legal action will be taken against those involved in the illegal sand trade. Likewise, officers found guilty of dereliction of duty will face strict disciplinary action. Protecting the state's natural resources and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld remain the government's highest priorities," Kharge said.

It said that every police unit has been instructed to gather intelligence on illegal sand mining activities within its jurisdiction, conduct surprise raids wherever necessary, and invoke the provisions of the Goonda Act against habitual offenders involved in the illegal sand trade.

The circular further directs that every monthly crime review meeting should include a station-wise review of cases relating to illegal sand mining, transportation, and storage, with appropriate instructions issued to subordinate officers.

District and Taluk-level Task Force meetings are also to be held regularly to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and effectively curb these illegal activities, it said.

The circular warns that if any police unit fails to prevent illegal sand mining and transportation within its jurisdiction, appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated against the officers concerned.