Fresh quarry operation order in Andaman agitates people

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Port Blair, July 6 (UNI) Fresh blasting permission for quarry operations in fragile Andaman islands leads renewal of protest from local people who fear for life by dust particles.

Renewal of quarry operations, for a period of one month recommended by a Committee constituted to look into the issues, although made a handful of operators happy, it made hundreds of villagers of South Andaman worried and tensed.

The interim order came after the Quarry and Crusher operators of Andaman and Nicobar Islands organised a dharna on Wednesday to press for resumption of quarry operations, suspended about two weeks ago.

The local administration had suspended the licenses to operate a quarry in Prothrapure village of South Andaman from June 23, following complaints from villagers that such digging was threatening their life.

"This is just an interim recommendation given while final reports will be submitted by the committee within 20 days," chief secretary C. Targey said.

The six quarries which have been suspended will be reviewed and a decision will be taken accordingly. Except the crushers installed at Brichgunj village, all the remaining crushers may be allowed to operate subject to some conditions including controlling the dust and other safety measures, addded the chief secretary.

Meanwhile the villagers yesterday blocked the roads to protest fresh order for quarry and alleged nexus with politicians in allowing such hazardous work ignoring popular protests, alleged Jag Jivan Ram, the Chairman of CLASS, an NGO.

Hundreds of villagers took to the streets in protest of administration's move to allow most of the quarry and crushers operators to continue their work.

"Quarry operation will lead to disaster in this area, we can't breathe, can not eat. Even some of us are getting deadly diseases," alleged Rajesh Ram, a local of Brichgunj village.

UNI

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