Illegal laterite mining in Agency has officials’ blessing: CPI(M)

Leaders submit a petition to NGT committee seeking action

The district committee of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Wednesday alleged that illegal mining of laterite has been taking place in Nathavaram mandal of the district for the past 21 years, in an extent of 121 hectares, and sought action against those responsible for it. CPI(M) District Committee secretary K. Lokanadham, member D. Sattibabu and Nathavaram mandal secretary A. Raju submitted a petition to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Committee, which visited the laterite mining area on Wednesday to study irregularities in laterite mining. The CPI(M) delegation alleged that the mining was being done with the connivance of government officials, ignoring protests by local tribals. The holding of a ‘Gram sabha’, which is mandatory for taking up any activity, was not done and a road was being widened for transport of laterite, without obtaining permission, in violation of the Scheduled Tribes and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest rights) Act, 2016, and without the required environmental clearances, the delegation alleged.