News and pics: Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Nov 11: Villagers on the coastal belt here have protested against several criminal activities such as illegal sand mining, illegal businesses, illegal
quarries etc that have come to light recently. A stone quarry is functioning illegally at Chowkadajeddu, near Siddapur Airbail of Kundapur taluk.

Siddapur grama panchayat is on the border of Kundapur taluk. There are a few houses between the sanctuary and the deemed forest which is the headquarters of illegal mining lords. They had obtained land on lease for a stone quarry on government land two years ago. However the land obtained for lease is different from the one where the stone quarry is functioning. Besides, the repeated blasting of the rock in the quarry has spoilt the night sleep of families living in the vicinity. Blasting is going on here almost everyday for the last two months. Walls of the local houses have cracked, ceiling has shaken and ground water in the wells has dried up. The families living here are completely shaken due to the oppression of stone quarry owners.

Nearly 300 acres are deemed forest in survey number 153 here. Illegal stone quarry and crusher are functioning here. Villager Rathakar Shetty has complained about it to all the concerned government departments. Local people are anguished that nothing has happened despite holding protests several times.

Villagers have held protests once again and warned that they will have to take law in their hands if the officials do not take action against quarry owners. District administration needs to wake up before late.