Amritsingh's Tata Sumo car bearing the number (GJ 5 FF 1857) was completely smashed by about 50 people led by Chhaganji Vanjhara and Bhagwan Chhaganji, also sand-dealers, in the Amroli area of the city, according to the police.According to officials of the Geology and Mining department, there are too many takers for the city's only sand-bed at Tapi and thus the conflict.

Geologist N O Mehta of the Geology department, while talking to Express Newsline said, ``We have a system of temporary permits and leasing for sand as well as black trap (kapchi). However, Rs 3 per tonne royalty is a measly amount that the department charges for removing sand. And since everyone doesn't get a permit or lease, there are bound to be conflicts.''

And indeed the stakes are high. A truck-full of sand (10 tonnes) is sold for about 700 to 800 depending on the availability, while the sand-dealer has to pay a royalty of Rs 30 per truck to the department for removing sand from the river-bed. That makes a cool profit of over Rs 700 for just one truck.

And monsoons spell a boom time for dealers, mostly Patels and vanjharas, as the price of a single truck of sand goes as high as Rs 1500.

There are, however, heavy fines and penalties for those found to be indulging in removing sand beyond the limit allowed (Rs 500 for a single illegally taken sand), cancellation of permits, among others.

The department provides temporary permit for 90 days, which can be renewed to six months to interested sand-dealers and they can remove 4000 metric tonnes of sand in the process from Jahangirpura to the Kamrej Tapi bridge.

Further, sand-dealers can also apply for a lease period of 3 years which can extend upto 15 years and can remove sand from the Kamrej Tapi bridge to any point in the district where the river flows.

As many as 504 temporary permits were issued in the year 1997-98, giving the department a revenue of Rs 18.77 lakh. In addition, the entire amount of royalty earned by the department in the year was Rs 2.44 crore. Besides, 742 defaulters were also charged Rs 4.99 lakh, adding to the department's kitty.

Alleges Naginbhai Vanjhara,``The amount of money involved is tremendous. And so the police and others have to be kept happy to get the work done.''

However, trespassing into others' leased territories continues and a staff of two inspectors and a supervisor is not adequate to check irregularities.

The police, on their part, can only register cases after complaints of attacks or clashes. ``The situation will turn for worse with resources diminishing steadily'', warns Mehta.