Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, May 21: Villagers of Kambadakone and Kodery villages near Byndoor in the taluk blocked the movement of vehicles loaded with sand on Thursday. They alleged that because of illegal sand mining being conducted in the banks of Yedamavinahole rivulet flowing through these villages, their houses are suffering damages.

Walls of several houses in these villages have developed cracks, while a few walls are on the brink of collapse because of the sand mining activity that is going on unrestrained. The people said that a few people from Kodery, Kambadakone and other villages are conducting sand mining on the basis of temporary licences procured by them since the last two years, near the vented dam, Basaramane estuary etc. They alleged that over 15 houses have suffered damages so far, endangering the lives and properties of the villagers and fishermen living in the vicinity of sand mines.

Chandra Poojary, a local resident, said that their repeated complaints to the Udupi district deputy commissioner, mines and geology department, Kundapur taluk tahsildar etc., have gone unheeded. He warned that stronger methods of protests will be undertaken if the sand mining operations in the region do not cease with immediate effect.

Hundreds of protestors took part. Byndoor police station in-charge, Yogesh Kumar, visited the spot and held discussions with the protestors.