About 45 cadres of the Hindu Munnani were arrested after they marched towards the mining site in Sholinghur hills on Saturday, demanding its closure. They were all released later. The activists said mining posed a threat to the heritage of the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar temple located on the hills.
K. Mahesh, zonal president of Hindu Munnani, led the protest. The cadres first staged blockade in front of Joint Commissioner of HR&CE office at the foot hills and demanded the officials to intervene.
Later they marched towards the mining site where they were arrested. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Mahesh said that they were fighting for the closure of mining activity for the last four years. The company that got licence for mining there violated norms and used powerful blasts.
A powerful blast heard on Friday evening made devotees to shudder, they alleged. “We demand that the government take action against the erring mining company and the HR&CE officials who failed in their duty to protect temple,” Mr. Mahesh added.
