Lokayukta unearths illegal mining

Bangalore, June 14 (UNI) Karnataka Lokayukta has unearthed an illegal mining and seized 11,500 metric tonnes of iron ore worth about Rs one crore in a raid conducted in Aralikatte village of Chitradurga district, early today morning and two people were arrested in this connection.

Confirming this to mediapersons here, Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said on receiving a complaint about illegal mining activity in the government land, Conservator of Forests V C Singh was asked to verify.

On confirmation four teams were formed with 20 Quick Response Team (QRT) of Bangalore city and 20 Lokayukta sleuths. It left here at 1800 hrs and reached the spot at midnight and the raid was completed within one hour.

Five modern JCB's, used to extract iron ore, two mobile phones and an amount of Rs 15,280 were seized.

Lokayukta Superintendent of Police S Rangaswamy Naik, who led the team, said one JCB driver managed to escape as the vehicle was slightly damaged.

Complementing the personnel for their success, Inspector General of Police Srinivasan announced Rs 1,000 reward to each of those who participated in the raid.

Justice Hegde said raids were conducted on four locations simultaneously, and iron ore seized were in 50 to 60 grade, which was of high quality.

UNI