Nationalise illegal mines: CPI-M

The Communist party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) today said mines where illegal mining activities have been established should be nationalised.

The Communist party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday said mines where illegal mining activities have been established should be nationalised.

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"In cases where illegal mining activities are established, those mines should be nationalised," the party said, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the reported illegal mining in Karnataka.

The CPI-M also asked the central government to stop the export of iron ore till a review is conducted of the current mining and minerals policy.

It asked the Reddy brothers, G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy, against whom the allegations are raised, to step down immediately from the BS Yeddyurappa cabinet.

"The politburo of the CPI-M demands that the illegal mining activities and export of iron ore from Karnataka be handed over to the CBI for investigation. The two ministers who are directly involved in the mining affairs should step down immediately," said the party in a statement in New Delhi.

The party also termed as "shocking and unacceptable," the statement by Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa that the Reddy brothers of Bellary are not involved in any illegal mining.