Former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijay Singh alleges illegal mining is rampant in the state, and from Shivraj Singh Chauhan down to BJP cadres, all are involved
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan and other BJP leaders were involved in illegal mining in the state, Congress leader Digvijay Singh said here yesterday, a day after IPS officer Narendra Kumar was killed for allegedly taking on the mining mafia.
Digvijay Singh offered his condolences to the family of Narendra Kumar, who was killed on Thursday when a tractor-trolley, suspected to be laden with illegally quarried stones, ran over him when he tried to stop it. Kumar (32), was a sub-divisional police officer in Bamor.
“I covey my heartfelt grievance to the family of young IPS officer and his wife who is in last stage of pregnancy ¦ my heart goes out to her. She was the circle officer in my district, where I have been MP. She incurred the wrath of BJP MLA and was transferred out of Rajgarh district,” said Digvijay Singh, a former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.
He added that illegal mining was rampant in the state and, starting from the chief minister down to the BJP cadres, all were involved. “Morena is known for its sand and stone quarries. Why had this not been auctioned… this needs to be inquired into. I have requested the chief minister to set up a judicial inquiry for my and his tenure and we should go into leases granted under my and Shivraj Singh’s tenure,” he said.
“There is ample evidence to prove that the CM’s family is involved in the illegal mining. We have got proof that a number of people, including BJP MLAs, MPs and influential people, are involved in mining activity in open connivance of BJP leadership,” Singh said.
He added that the state government was losing massive revenue, as these quarries were not being auctioned and leased.
Lashing out at state Home Minister Uma Shanker Gupta for his statement that Narendra Kumar’s death was an accident, he said, “I profoundly condemn the inhumane statement of the home minister calling it an accident and not a deliberate murder.”
Father alleges political murder
The father of deceased IPS officer Narendra Kumar alleged that his son’s murder was a political conspiracy and that his son and daughter-in-law were “threatened” by a local MLA.
“Since a few days he was telling me that he was acting against illegal mining mafias and had seized several vehicles but they got released,” Keshav Dev said.
“My daughter-in-law had also a heated argument with BJP MLA Mohan Sharma, who regularly threatened both my son and daughter-in-law. She had been transferred 15 days ago. The government officials hid his murder information from me and said that he died in an accident,” he added.
Keshav Dev also alleged that Madhya Pradesh’s ruling party patronises illegal mining.
According to sources, the argument between IAS officer and the legislator had been brought to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s notice.
Reacting on the allegations, legislator Mohan Sharma said, “Transfer is a normal process. But yes I had complained to the CM that she had ill-treated me.”
Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta refuted allegations, saying there were no reports of vehicles seized for illegal mining activites being released. “Because he has lost a young son, his mental balance has been affected. We’ll talk to him later,” Gupta said.
—Agencies