BENGALURU: Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh on Tuesday urged the Union Government to order a CBI probe into illegal mining near the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam in Mandya district. In a memorandum to Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the MP said that many farmers have threatened to commit suicide due to threats from elected representatives and public officials if they approach the authorities to complain against rampant illegal mining near KRS dam.
The MP said that she received complaints about threat to the reservoir structure due to blasting using heavy explosives and tremors. “Illegal mining activity has caused air and water pollution, environmental hazards to human habitation, including repeated miscarriages and breathing difficulties,” she stated.
She alleged that illegal mining is being carried out with the complicity of officials.