Karnataka byelections: Illegal sand mining dominates poll campaign in Ranebennur

Haveri: The run-up to the byelection in as many as 15 assembly constituencies across Karnataka is certainly not lacking in drama. The survival of the BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government is at stake in the bypolls, besides which, the dramatic collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government and the ensuing consequences have only served to add to the political climate.

In the Ranebennur constituency in Haveri district, one of the seats heading to the bypolls, the drama appears to be centred on illegal sand mining , with opposing candidates alleging the involvement of each other in the activity.

The River Tungabhadra scythes through the taluk and the banks of the river for roughly 25km, from Kuppelur to Choudayyadanapur has huge deposits of quality soil. Residents allege that officials of the district administration and local officials are hand in glove with those involved in the illegal extraction of sand.

Chief of the Ranebennur unit of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Hanumanthappa Kabbar alleged that illegal sand mining was rampant in Makanur, Mudenur, Kuppelur, Mustur, Haranagiri and Anveri villages in Ranebennur taluk. “It is the people in these villages who are bearing the cost of this illegal activity going on unchecked,” said Kabbar.

State president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and chief of the Akhandanand wing of Hasiru Sene Shivaputra Malladad said that the miscreants extracting sand illegally were emboldened by the failure of the law enforcement authorities to initiate legal action. “Each day, mining starts in the morning, and the sand is transported to Bengaluru to neighbouring districts under the cover of night,” said Malladad, further alleging that illegal extraction of sand was a source of revenue for elected representatives, cutting across party lines.

Member of Jana Sangram Parishath Dr SL Pawar pointed out that the soaring prices for sand ensured that those involved in the illegal activity could make handsome profits.

Contractor Malatesh Veerapur pointed to the noticeable absence of the word ‘development’ in most election speeches. “It is not the dominating theme in the campaign here. The contestants are telling the people that they will put a stop to illegal sand mining if they win the election,” Veerapur said.