THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Refuting the forest department's action to impose a ban on mining of sand on Pamba River, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said the department cannot stop it as the Disaster Management Act is in force.

"The sand cannot be sold to anyone. This is a major problem in our state. There is sedimentation in our rivers, which can even disturb the flow. The removal of these sediments is very crucial. The government has given direction to district collectors to take necessary action. There was a delay in the sedimentation removal and the then chief secretary and state police chief visited the place to check to speed up the proceedings", the CM said.

"Controversies erupt in any matter. Each collector has the power to remove sedimentation as per the DM Act. No one can stop it", he said.

"Some may have a misconception that the forest department owns everything that goes through a forest. But if measures are taken as per the DM Act, no one can stop it", CM Vijayan added.

As the sand mining in Pamba River turned controversial, the forest department issued an order to stop the proceedings. The ban came after chief secretary Vishwas Mehta said the sand mining will continue to fight the floods. As there was a difference in opinion between the top officials, the contract company said they are backing off from sand mining.

Demanding a probe into sand mining order, the Congress had alleged that a state public sector unit with no expertise has been given permission to lift sand from Pamba river banks, at the foothills of the Sabarimala temple, for free.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala, here on Tuesday, also questioned a ''secret'' helicopter trip by Chief Secretary Tom Jose and Kerala Police chief Loknath Behera, hours before the former retired.