Brahmavar, December 27: Residents of Kukkude in Haradi village who had brought issue of illegal sand mining going on in the region to the notice of authorities earlier, staged a stir on Monday as their pleas have continuously fallen on deaf ears.
The protesters said that sand mining in Suvarna River at Kukkude was stopped three years ago but now some individuals have started mining without seeking permission from the authorities.
They said that one year ago the region had got concrete and neatly asphalted road but this has been damaged due to frequent plying of heavy vehicles carrying sand.
“We are living amidst dust and sand all the time. The roads are narrow and hence
commuting on this road has become difficult because the heavy vehicles carrying sand always cause block on the road,” said a local resident.
The residents are fed up of the constant movement of vehicles from 4 am to 9 pm and sometimes even beyond. “Houses and coconut plantations are getting damaged.
The parties are carrying out mining blatantly despite the fact that region comes under Coastal Regulation Zone,” protesters said adding that the mangroves, hich were once growing lavishly in the region have disappeared due to mining activities.
The local residents complain of floods during rainy season, which inundates houses.
“The authorities should ban mining of sand in the region,” the residents demanded. The residents approached local resident Gopal Mendon who according to the protesters is one of the persons involved in sand mining. When they urged him to stop mining in the area, Mendon reportedly brought out sharp weapons to assault the protesters.
The raged protesters after a heated discussion with the sand miners lodged a complaint with Brahmavar police.
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