'Sack Reddy as Bellary in-charge minister'

Addressing the media, S R Hiremath of the Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS), which has filed the PIL against illegal mining before the Forest Bench of the Supreme Court, said the CEC in its report has stated that Karnataka ranks first in illegal mining, with Bellary being specifically highlighted.

“We urge the chief minister to remove Reddy immediately and appoint a minister of high integrity who can restore rule of law and effectively support honest officials in the district,” said Hiremath. He also urged the government to appoint honest and effective officers at all levels.

NCNPR has demanded speeding up the CID investigations in Belekeri port and strong measures against Bellary officers appointed at the behest of Reddys, including DCF Muthaiah, DC Shivappa, Deputy Director of Mines and Geology Raju, SP Seemanth Kumar Singh and Conservator of Forests S P Shukla.