Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network-Bantwal(DV)

Bantwal, May 11: Panemangaluru Block Congress and Bantwal Block Congress under the leadership of former minister B Ramanatth Rai staged a protest against illegal sand mining. The protest was held at Budoli Junction.

Speaking during the occasion former minister B Ramanath Rai said, "Supporters of Bantwal MLA by obtaining permits for one point and doing illegal mining in various other places. During my tenure, proper regulations have been brought for sand mining but this has been misused. Sand mining is being done using machines. Illegal sand mining is being done without any fear."

KPCC secretary M S Mohammed said, "In the state, the government itself has become illegal. This government has gained a name as 40% government."

He also alleged that Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik is obtaining commission by supporting his supporters in sand mining.

Panemangaluru Block Congress president Sudeep Kumar Shetty said, "Through all illegal sand mining commission is reaching to the Department and the MLA. The poor have to purchase sand by paying double. Providing justice to the public should be a 'Rajadharma'. If the illegal sand mining is raided the officials are getting threat calls of transfer.

BUDA former president Pius L Rodrigues also spoke during the occasion.

Leaders Padmashekar Jain, Chandra Prakash Shetty Tumbe, Bantwal Block Congress former president Mailappa Salian, Panemangaluru Block former president Abbas Ali, Panemangaluru Women Wing president Jayanthi

Bantwal Block Congress president Baby Kundar, Peraje Gram panchayath president Rohini, vice-president Ummar and others were present.