By Lasantha Niroshan
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An organized gang engaged in illegal gem mining in the Kaluganga at Ihala Hakamuwa was arrested by the Police STF. Police said that illicit gem mining had been going on unchecked in the Kaluganga and that they have arrested ten suspects and seized their machinery and equipment. The STF has been deployed in Kahawatta to provide protection to the people after the mysterious killings of several elderly women in the area. Police said a gem deposit found in the Kaluganga at Ihala Hakamuwa had attracted the attention of the illegal gem miners.Although the STF carried out the raid at night and arrested the suspects several others avoided arrest by fleeing from the scene. The suspects were handed over to the Ratnapura police for further action. Meanwhile people from the area claimed that prominent personalities with political backing were behind illegal gem mining. They pointed out that the racketeers using heavy machinery and equipment caused environmental damage and that the authorities should allow systematic exploitation of gem deposit through traditional methods used by the small-scale gem miners. A STF official said they carried out the raid on the instructions of senior police officials in the Ratnapura district and that it was the first time that the STF was deployed to carry out raids on illegal gem mines.
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