NGO makes fresh allegations against Reddy brothers

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Hiremath said, Gali Laxmi Aruna (wife of Janardhan Reddy), B Sriramulu, Bhagyalakshmi, Karunakar Reddy, Vanaja, Srinivas Reddy, and others had acquired more than 230 acre of land in and around Bellary district in serious violation of the Land Reforms Act.

Besides, there were some other documents, including the correspondences between the Union Ministry of Steel and the State government (S M Krishna’s regime), which clearly showed violation of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and other laws by the Deccan Mining Associates.

He said some documents, in possession of the NCPNR, gave ample evidences to prove that Somashekhar Reddy and others had involved in rampant illegal mining during the BJP government (B S Yeddyurappa regime), he said.

Land conversion

Hiremath said, seven persons, including Sriramulu and Gali Laxmi Aruna, had illegally converted huge tracts of land for non-agriculture (NA) purpose. Higher officials of the Revenue Department had helped the Reddy brothers in using these lands for carrying out illegal mining, he charged.

Accusing the then S M Krishna  government of abetting illegal mining in the State, he said, the Deccan Mining Syndicate (DMS) had grossly violated rules in undertaking illegal mining. The DMS directors created fake mining maps, sketches, and forged mining and transportation permits. Though the government (SM Krishna regime) knew that the DMS was engaged in illegal mining, it (government) did not take any action to stop the large-scale illegal mining.

He said, the documents acquired by the NCPNR also showed that a number of FIRs had been filed against Somashekhara Reddy in connection with illegal mining and other criminal activities in Ramgad area in Bellary district.

Urging the government to appoint the new Lokayukta at the earliest and strengthen the Lokayukta police, Hiremath said, the latest but crucial documents acquired by the NCPNR would be submitted to the Supreme Court and the departments concerned for further action against the guilty for looting the natural resources of the State.

He appealed to the people and organisations to bring pressure on the government to appoint an honest and effective Lokayukta, bring back honest Lokayukta police officers who had been transferred to other departments, and take stringent action against all those who were involved in illegal mining which has caused irreparable damage to nature and human life.