Illegal murram mining hits Tungabhadra backwaters

Koppal: Allegations of large-scale illegal extraction and stockpiling of murram from the Tungabhadra backwater region near Nelogipur and Neeralagi villages in Koppal taluk have surfaced following complaints by local residents.Villagers alleged that the activity was carried out openly under the nose of Alawandi police with political backing. They claimed officials of the mines and geology department initially refused to act on oral complaints, forcing them to directly approach deputy commissioner Suresh B Itnal and share visual evidence of the alleged illegal stockpiling of murram.Following directions from the deputy commissioner, Koppal tahsildar Basavaraj Tennalli and officials from the mines and geology department inspected the spot near Neeralagi village two days ago.According to Shivanandayya Guruvin, a resident of Nelogipur on the banks of the Tungabhadra reservoir, nearly 50 tractors and five earth-moving machines were allegedly used daily for around 15 days to extract and stockpile murram across nearly two acres.Villagers demanded that the seized murram be safeguarded against illegal transportation and disposed of as per rules. They also questioned how such large-scale extraction and storage could continue without the knowledge of the police or the mines and geology department.Locals pointed out that despite the seizure of the stockpiled soil, nobody came forward claiming ownership, which they described as suspicious. They feared the material could again be transported illegally if authorities failed to dispose of it according to procedure.Koppal tahsildar Basavaraj Tennalli told TOI that illegal murram mining took place near Neeralagi and Nelogipur villages. “Since the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Tungabhadra Board, the seized soil and the case have been handed over to them and they will initiate legal action,” he said.Following the transfer of the case, the Tungabhadra Board has decided to register a complaint against ‘unknown’ persons at Alawandi police station in Koppal taluk.Meanwhile, activist Shivanandayya Guruvin and others alleged that illegal sand mining was also taking place along the backwaters of the Tungabhadra reservoir near Halavagali, Kesalapur, Bochanahalli, Tigari and Hanakunti villages in Alawandi hobli.They alleged that soil and sand were being looted using machinery, mostly during night hours, and demanded a judicial inquiry and action by the district administration.