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Farmers seek ban on illegal mining in Shravanabelagola

Last Updated 13 June 2016, 18:38 IST
Members of Raitha Sangha and other organisations staged a protest in Hassan, demanding a ban on illegal quarrying at Dadadahalli and Bettadahalli in Shravanabelagola hobli, Channarayapatna taluk on Monday.

Farmers, labourers and office-bearers of various organisations took out a rally from the Hemavathy statue in the city, up to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They formed a human chain near NR Circle for a while, blocked the road, causing inconvenience to motorists. Later, they culminated near the Deputy Commissioner’s office and raised slogans against the officials.

Protesters said that though Mines and Geology department has issued four licences for quarrying on eight acres of land at Bettadahalli and surrounding areas, mining activity was rampant on 60 acres of land. The Mines and Geology department has turned a blind eye towards the issue, they added.

The agitators said, continuous mining will affect the statue of Bahubali atop the Chandragiri hill and also the stone idol of Bahubali’s feet and mantap at Devarabetta.

According to sources, four licences have been issued, but a single person is managing the entire mining activity. An Andhra-based agency has been issued permission to carry out mining at survey number 10, at Rangapurakaval at Tirupatihalla in Hassan. Ironically, the department officials do not have any information on the extent of land. The officials are hand in glove in the illegal mining, they alleged.

Tahsildar and Assistant Commissioner, who made a spot visit, have submitted a report that is favourable to the contractors. The public, who agree to be witnesses to the case are threatened by goons. So the villagers fear to provide any evidence, they alleged.

They demanded a CID or judicial probe into the mining activity, which is going on unabated for the past two decades, eroding natural resources. They demanded suitable compensation towards the loss incurred by the residents due to the mining activity.

Raitha Sangha leader Badagalapura Nagendra led the protest.
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(Published 13 June 2016, 18:38 IST)

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