Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Aug 18: Villagers of Chara in tha taluk are up in arms against illegal mining being conducted at survey No. 105 at Hutturke in Chara village. They allege that after complaint was made about this illegal mining, village accountant, revenue inspector, and tahsildar had raided the spot but the mining activity continues unabated at the spot even after the raid.

The villagers claim that Dinesh Shetty, current member of gram panchayat, has been undertaking illegal mining here and that the panchayat is not acting against him because of this reason. "Illegal mining is going on just a km away from its office. But the gram panchayat has failed to act. The spot where mining has been undertaken is a grazing land owned by the government that has been converted into cashew plantation out of grant from water resources department," they inform.

The villagers, who have complained to the authorities concerned, have demanded for stern steps against the mining activity. They have said that Chara gram panchayat falls under the purview of Kasturirangan report and therefore mining cannot be allowed there. Therefore,  they have asked the authorities to conduct spot inspection, take legal steps against the guilty and levy penalty on them. At the same time they have warned of approaching the court if no action is taken.