South Andaman tense over quarry controversy

Port Blair, July 30 (UNI) The dispute over quarry and crusher operations in South Andaman has assumed serious proportions with the local administration under tremendous pressure, both from the affected villagers as well as quarry and crusher owners.

The villagers alleged that quarry and crusher operations would pose a threat to three villages and demanded that it should be banned in the thickly populated villages of Protherapur, Brichgunj and Brookshabad.

''We are suffering from the harmful effects of daily blasting of stone quarries. We have to inhale the dusty air polluted by crusher units. Villagers are developing respiratory diseases, while children are suffering from nose bleeding,'' Shibu George, an agitating villager of Protherapur, told UNI here today.

Villagers alleged that the administration was trying to play safe by favouring the quarry and crusher owners under political pressure.

Earlier, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration had suspended the licenses to operate a few quarries and crushers in Brichgunj village of South Andaman from June 23, following complaints from villagers that quarry operations were threatening their lives and health.

However, after discussions with the political lobby and administration, the quarry and crusher owners suspended their proposed mass agitation today to protest the closure and the administration set up an expert committee to take the final decision.

''Almost all politicians have their own quarry so they are putting pressure on the administration. Even senior politicians have their personal motives behind this dharna,'' Liyaquat Ali, another agitating villager of South Andaman, said.

The villagers alleged that huge money was being earned by the quarry and crusher operators and therefore some senior leaders were supporting them, ignoring the well-being of thousands of villagers.

''The Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands had closed down a few quarry and crusher units after our protest on June 23 but we are losing faith in other politicians and bureaucrats,'' the villagers said adding that if things continued like this, they would approach the Supreme Court for justice.

UNI