12 navy personnel injured during a raid to nab illegal sand miners

Colombo (News1st): 12 Sri Lanka Navy personnel were injured and hospitalized when stones were pelted at them in Trincomalee. The incident took place when the Sri Lanka Navy and Police Special Task Force attempted to arrest illegal Sand miners operating in the vicinity of the Mahaweli River. Following instructions issued by the President and the Chairman of the Geological and Mining Bureau, the Sri Lanka Navy together with the Police STF launched an operation to arrest illegal san miners along the Mahaweli River banks. Navy Spokesperson Lieutenant commander Isuru Sooriyabandara said following the seizure of two tipper trucks filled with sand the team had rushed to another location where sand was being excavated illegally. During the arrest, the sand miners along with the area resident had attempted to assault Navy personnel. The spokesperson noted that the Navy had fired two shots to the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Sri Lanka Navy said 07 illegal sand miners were arrested while three others had escaped by jumping into the river. News1st correspondent in the area said the police had taken steps to control the situation in the area. Meanwhile, the body of one of the suspects who fled the scene was found this evening. The deceased was 22-year-old. News1st correspondent in the area said the police and police special task force have been deployed to the area.