In a pre-dawn swoop, the Lokayukta police, along with Forest Department officials and the State police force, busted an illegal mining camp at Kondapuragudda near Holalkere in Chitradurga, and seized 11,500 tonnes of iron ore, five JCBs and two lorries.
The Lokayukta, Justice Santhosh Hegde, told reporters that the raid was conducted at around 12.30 am (early Thursday morning). The raiding party was led by Conservator of Forests U V Singh and S Rangaswamy Naik, Superintendent of Police (Lokayukta).
Acting on a complaint which the Lokayukta had received, the raid yielded iron ore worth Rs 1 crore and JCBs and lorries worth an estimated Rs 4 crore.
Even as the 40-member team surprised those at the mining site, Mr U V Singh sustained minor injuries as his jeep was attacked by the workers. The latter fled the scene when the police too came into the scene. The police also managed to arrest one Tipperudrappa and Siddappa.
The JCB machines and lorries were handed over to the Chikkajajur police station. Mines & Geology Department officials were directed to seize the ore heaped in around 50 acres of land.
Two mobile phones and Rs 15,280 in cash were also seized.
Justice Hegde said it was not yet known who was behind the mining but added investigations would “soon reveal that”.
‘Almost killed us’
According to Mr Singh, “the mining takes place in the night and, in the morning, Lambanis are used to ‘sieve’ the ore, following which it is transported at night. The mining has been going on for several months.”
“Initially, the JCB drivers even tried to run us over. However, seeing the armed police force, they fled,” he said.
Director General of Police K R Srinivasan announced a reward of Rs 1000 for each of those who took part in the operation. Justice Hegde handed over appreciation certificates. Justice Patri Basavana Goud was also present at the media meet.
DySPs B Parameshwarappa, Jagadeesh Prasad and V Shekhar, Inspector MG Subba Rao, Lokayukta staff and 20 personnel of the quick response team took part in the raid.
‘Beginning of end’
Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde told Deccan Herald that he did not require any additional power if the public and police cooperated with him the way it did in the Chitradurga operation.
“Success in such operations lies in cooperation of both the public and the police,” he said, probably referring to a provision which does not entitle the Lokayukta to conduct any arrests. “This is just the beginning of the end for illegal mining in the State. I want to hit them where it hurts them most,” he said.