Bhubaneswar, Nov 21 (IANS) Orissa’s vigilance department has filed five criminal cases against firms and people allegedly involved in illegal mining in the state, an official said Saturday.

‘The cases were filed against various people and operators of mining companies which include Sirajuddin & Co and Rungta mines,’ Superintendent of police (vigilance) D.D Patnaik said.

‘We have filed five criminal cases during the last two days. They are against companies which include Sirajuddin & Co and Rungta mines,’ Patnaik told IANS.

The vigilance department had earlier filed four criminal cases against different mine owners, and forest and mine department officials in August and had arrested eight people.

Orissa is one of the largest mineral-bearing states in India — 16.92 percent of the mineral reserves of the country are estimated to be in the state.

The state government started an investigation in July following allegations by politicians that some mines were operating without licences.

Earlier this month, the government ordered suspension of work in 69 mines and suspension of licences of many traders of different ores after they failed to produce documents to show that their mining activities were legal.