Raichur, 21 Jan

Raichur’s Devadurga MLA Karemma G Nayak alleged that she and her party workers are facing death threats from the sand mafia. The JD(S) member filed a complaint on Monday at the Devadurga Police Station, and 60 people were booked on Tuesday.

She said that at around 8 am on Sunday, hundreds of sand mafia members suddenly arrived at her residence and threatened to “finish her off”. She directly accused the police of colluding with the sand mafia and engaging in illegal activities.

“The intelligence department personnel have become inactive. The police are protecting those involved in illegal sand transportation, matka gambling, liquor sales, and ganja trafficking. In the taluk, 7–8 police personnel are collecting money from these mafia elements using cars and jeeps,” she alleged.

“I will submit complaints to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister and seek protection. A team led by Srinivas Nayak, brother of Congress defeated candidate Sridevi Nayak, visited my house and issued death threats,” Karemma alleged.

Legislative Council member TA Sharavan has demanded that the sand mafia be immediately arrested and that strict legal action be taken. Sharavan alleged a “goonda raj” in the State and said the Congress had lost control of its officials.

He stated that the sand mafia is operating along the banks of the Krishna River openly.

He said that Karemma had raised her voice against matka gambling, illegal betting, and sand mafia activities in her constituency. “If this is the fate of an MLA who tried to prevent the drying up of the Krishna riverbed, one can imagine the plight of ordinary citizens.”