Illegal mining in Bellary continues, Rs 4 cr Iron ore seized

Bellary, Aug 1: Illegal mining, for which BS Yeddyurappa was forced to resign as Karnataka Chief Minister, continues in Bellary. On Sunday, Jul 31 when Yeddyurappa was about to table his resignation, an illegal assignment of iron ore worth of Rs 4 crore was being seized at the region.

Sources from Revenue and Mines and Geology Department informed that 3.84 lakh tons of iron ore, which belongs to the Tomatro mining company, were being illegally transported in 24 lorries in Sandur taluk and were seized by the officials.

Citing the latest revelations, it seems that the mining companies snubbed the Supreme Court's order which was issued recently to suspend all type of mining at the region over the environmental pollution issue.

SR Hiremath, convener, National Committee for the Protection of Natural Resources also claimed, "Illegal mining was started by G Janardhana Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy, Sriramulu and their associates in Bellary. They have to take full responsibility of it and immediately resign from minister ship. The government should punish them."

The Bellary brothers also have been accused in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining in Karnataka. The report first hurled its attack on Yeddyurappa along with some other mining companies and top bureaucrats.

OneIndia News