Illegal rock quarrying and soil smuggling; Probe against CPM district secretary

IDUKKI: An investigation has been ordered against CPM Idukki district secretary C V Varghese on the complaint of illegal rock quarrying and smuggling of soil. The district collector has ordered an investigation against Varghese, his son and son-in-law in the incident.

A copy of the collector's order has been sent to all village offices. It is reported that the village officers have started an investigation based on this. Rock quarrying and mining are taking place in various places including Udumbanchola in Idukki. All illegal mining will be investigated.

When the allegations were levelled, his reply was that his hands were clean. The complaint was filed by a public servant. The district collector received the complaint on last December 11th. The complaint mentioned as a public servant afraid for his life.

Varghese was a leader who was very backward financially. However, now he has 15 tipper lorries, four JCBs and an Innova. The complaint said no substantial investigation was conducted even after a complaint was lodged. There are also allegations that a large amount of soil is being transported under the guise of road construction. The complainant has sent a copy of the complaint to opposition leader V D Satheesan and others.