Patna, Nov. 17: The Rohtas district authorities today launched a crackdown on unauthorised quarrying units operating in the Kaimur hill area and slapped a case on a former state president of the ruling BJP.

Two quarrying units were demolished and two persons arrested after an FIR was lodged against 11 persons, among them senior BJP leader Gopal Narain Singh, for illegal mining. Two units owned by Singh were found to be running without valid papers.

Singh said he would file a defamation case against the officials for dragging his name into illegal mining. “This is an attempt to malign my image,” he said.

Explaining his stand, the former Bihar BJP president said: “My two crushing units have not been working for the past one year. I have filed an appeal in the court of the divisional commissioner as I had to incur losses due to negligence on part of the officials of the mines and forests department. The appeal in still pending.”

Singh said he could not remove the equipment from the site because the appeal was pending. “Had my appeal been disposed of, I would have taken a decision accordingly. This is a lapse on the part of the officials,” he added.

Asked about action against Singh, Rohtas district magistrate Anupam Kumar, a part of the raiding team, said: “Whosoever they might be, action will be taken against all accused.” He said all were equal in the eyes of law and nobody would be allowed to commit any offence.

A total of 27 crushing units were found to be running without valid licence and permission papers.