Political conspiracy to defame me before polls: MP

MP C S Puttaraju has clarified that he did not threaten any Forest department official in connection with mining activities and said that it is a political conspiracy against him hatched by other party leaders to defame him at a time when elections are approaching.

Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, Puttaraju said that the number of crushers in Melkote constituency has increased from 18 to 48 only after K S Puttannaiah became MLA. If Puttannaiah has the capacity, let him close all illegal crusher units, he said.

“Learning about the tension during an inspection by the Forest department officials on July 1, I visited the spot and eased the situation. I have requested the officials to convene a meeting presided over by the Deputy Commissioner in this connection,” he said.

Puttaraju said that if the crusher units are closed down, hundreds of people depending on them will be affected. “The allegations that I threatened the officials is false. I rushed to the spot when I learnt about the tense situation at Chinakurali and Honaganahalli gram panchayats and pacified the people,” he said.

Crushing units
Puttaraju explained that his family members have been legally running three crushing units for decades. “I have no idea about how many crushers are functioning illegally and how many of them are from Kerala. Only Puttannaiah can give the exact details. The stones are not blasted using explosives at Chinakurali, Honaganahalli and other villages. They are manually broken. It is the main source of income for the villagers nearby. Anybody can make a spot inspection,” he said.

He clarified that the disputed land comes under the gram panchayat and is a ‘Gomaala’. “It is not a forest land as alleged. Crushers are functioning since 2000, after obtaining necessary permission. We have all the necessary documents. If any attempt is made to divert people, a protest will be staged. I am ready to go to jail for the people of the region,” Puttaraju said.