Bhubaneswar, Aug 11 - Orissa's vigilance department Tuesday filed cases against nine people, including state officials and two mine owners, for their alleged involvement in illegal mining in Keonjhar district.

'We have filed cases against nine people. Some people are likely to be arrested soon,' Deputy Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) D.D. Pattnaik told IANS.

According to him, cases have been filed against two joint directors, a former director, a deputy director, a mining officer and a section officer of the mining department.

Besides, a forest range officer and two mine owners were also booked.

The vigilance department was last month asked by the state government to investigate after opposition parties alleged that large-scale illegal mining was going on in the mineral rich Keonjhar district in over 36 hectares area.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K.V. Singhdeo had moved an adjournment motion in the assembly July 10, alleging that a private company had been mining manganese in the region.