A high-level fact-finding committee has squarely blamed the notorious sand mafia for the deliberate destruction of two crucial check dams in Telangana. The panel has urgently called upon the state government to take stringent legal action and ensure the immediate repair of the damaged structures, which were vital for water conservation and local agriculture.
Deliberate Destruction with Explosives
The committee, which included experts like V Prakash, former chairman of the Telangana Water Resources Development Corporation, conducted site visits to assess the damage. Their investigation concluded that the dams did not collapse due to natural causes but were intentionally blown up. Renowned water conservationist Rajendra Singh, known as the 'Waterman of India,' also examined the sites and labeled the incidents as clear cases of man-made destruction.
The panel detailed that the Tanugula check dam in Jammikunta Mandal, Karimnagar district, was blown up using gelatin sticks around 10 pm on November 21. This structure was built at a significant cost of ₹23 crore. Following the explosion, Irrigation Officer Palakurthi Ravi filed a formal complaint at the Jammikunta police station. A subsequent field inspection by the police corroborated the facts, with local farmers confirming they heard the loud blast and identified the sand mafia's involvement.
A Pattern of Criminal Activity
In a similar incident, the Adavi Somanpalli check dam in Manthani Mandal, Peddapalli district, was destroyed on December 17. The committee stated that debris from the explosion served as clear evidence of the criminal act. This is not an isolated pattern. The panel highlighted a concerning precedent where the probe into the Husen Miyavagu check dam explosion on January 16 last year remains incomplete, and no culprits have been punished despite a filed case and supporting evidence.
Demands for Action and Restoration
The fact-finding committee has made several strong recommendations to the state authorities:
- Immediate registration of police cases against those responsible for the destruction.
- Speedy repair and restoration of the Tanugula and Adavi Somanpalli check dams.
- A direct appeal to Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to prioritize the restoration work.
The destruction of these water-harvesting structures represents a severe blow to local water security and agriculture. The committee's report underscores the urgent need to curb the powerful sand mafia's activities, which continue to operate with impunity, damaging public infrastructure and natural resources for illicit gains.
