ALAPPUZHA: The mineral sand mafia hacked a youth at Thrikkunnapuzha in Harippad, near here, on Thursday night, and chopped off his right hand.A nine-member gang attacked Nazeer, 32, of Kochukandathil, at the Kuttithara Juma Masjid compound in Pallana.Nazeer was first rushed to the Alappuzha Medical college Hospital.However, he was later shifted to Specialist’s Hospital in Ernakulam.The doctors at the hospital rejoined his right hand after an eighthour long surgery.According to hospital authorities, Nazeer has sustained severe injuries to his head and left hand also.DisputeThere was a dispute prevailing in Thrikkunnapuzha about the illegal mining of mineral sand from the sea.There were allegations that some locals were helping the mafia to smuggle sand from Pallana and Panoor.They collected the sand in small pick-up vans and autorickshaws, and later handed it over to big dealers.Nazeer and Thrikkunnapuzha panchayat member Sali were regularly protesting against smuggling of sand. The issue had led to a clash between the locals and the mafia in Thrikkunnapuzha last week, Sali said. According to some local residents, the police are trying to help the culprits in the sand smuggling issue. However, the Thrikkunnapuzha police said last week’s incident was a group clash. “The police have registered a case against nine persons in connection with the incident. But, no arrests are made in the case,” Harippad Circle Inspector K S Udayabhanu said.
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