Date:04/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/04/stories/2007010412470100.htm

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398 cases booked against illegal mining

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Forests and Environment Minister C. Chennigappa on Wednesday said that the Forest Department officials had booked 398 cases against people for illegal mining in government grazing lands of Kanakapura taluk in Bangalore Rural district.

Speaking to presspersons here, the Minister said that the department had even filed charge sheets in 23 cases. However, he did not disclose the names of either the companies or the individuals involved in it.

Mr. Chennigappa said that he visited forest areas in Bellary where illegal mining was reported. A squad had been deputed to keep a watch on Black Gold Mines and Vibhuti Mines bordering Andhra Pradesh to prevent illegal mining from Obalapura side in the neighbouring State.

`Khan should apologise'

About the resignation by the Wakf and Haj Committee Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and his remarks against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Mr. Chennigappa said Mr. Khan should have been grateful to Mr. Kumaraswamy for not only making him an MLA but also inducting him into the Cabinet. Mr. Chennigappa, who is a close friend of Mr. Khan, said that he had advised Mr. Khan against taking such a step. He also demanded that Mr. Khan make an apology to the people.

To whether others would follow suit, Mr. Chennigappa said the Government was stable.