Bhatkal: There are more than 50 mining sites including 10 in Bengre Gram Panchayat limits which are running illegally in the taluk and some among them have been partially closed due to rains.

The mining is carried illegally without licenses in Yalwadikavoor, Muttalli, Belake, Bailuru, Kaikini, Jali, Mavalli, Shirali, Bengre, Haduvalli Konar, Marukeri, Kadavinakatte and other surrounding places in Bhatkal taluk. Manki areas along with forest area have been illegally conquered for mining.

Nearly 30 of 40 ft pits were dug to find stones beneath the earth surface, where rain water get collected and turned life threatening to people and animals walking through that way. Muttali villagers urged to stop illegal mining of red stones in their taluk.

Tahsildar V N Bhadkar, said, Mining is taking place neglecting all these rules. The instruction has been given to mining department to inspect this.