Pics: Ahammad Bava

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 26: The residents of Bittupade under the Neerumarga grama panchayat on the outskirts of the city are facing hardships due to the illegal stone quarry mining that is going on since the last three years.

Countless appeals to administration have fallen on deaf ears. Moreover, the residents have even received death threats. Everyday morning the residents hear sounds of explosives which are used even during the night disturbing the sleep of residents.

Walls of more than 20 houses and the nearby mosque have seen cracks due to the huge sound generated by the explosives. Glasses of window panes have also been broken in many houses. Though many appeals have been sent to panchayat development officer, president and members no action has been taken so far. Bittupade Mosque president Shameer has accused Neerumarga grama panchayat of colluding with the people engaged in illegal stone quarry mining.

According to a local resident, this stone quarry was given permission for just a year in 2017. Later, according to the complaints filed with the grama panchayat, permission was cancelled.

However, for the past three years, the quarry is working unabatedly under the present panchayat. Even the president of the panchayat resides in the vicinity of the area where the after effects of explosives can be felt. But he has not taken any action.

The locals, who are distraught as their repeated appeals to the panchayat have fallen on deaf ears, have appealed to the land and mining department of Dakshina Kannada.

Responding to the appeal of the villagers, land mining scientist and junior engineer have visited the quarry and confiscated the equipment and have assured people of suitable action.