2 villages up in arms against stone crusher unit near Karkala

Renjala Grama Hitharakshana Samiti staged a protest against the stone crusher unit that has been functioning since four years in the village here.

Around 200 people from Renjala and Iravatthur villages took out the protest rally from the Gram Panchayath premises to the venue of the stone crusher unit, demanding the district administration to take action against the unit that has made their life a hell.

Hitharakshana Samiti President B Mahaveer Hegde flayed that despite informing the district administration over the inconveniences created due to the crusher unit, the district administration has failed to take measures.

The stone crushing unit belongs to RMC (Readymix) India Company.

In the beginning, the company officials had assured the local residents over minimizing the inconveniences caused. However, later the officials reneged on their words, alleged Hegde.

More than 50 families residing in the village have been facing health problems due to the high decibel sound from the unit. The stretch from Karkala to Renjala has been massively damaged owing to the frequent plying of overloaded vehicles transporting crushed jelly stones to Mangalore and other places, he said.

Renjala GP President Surekha Kotian said the demand for the closure of crusher unit was put forth before district administration and Karkala Tahsildar. However, there is no response from both the sides. She said that all the 600 families residing in GP limit are against the functioning of the crusher unit.

Shivanna Hegde pointed that the pollution from the crusher has affected the health of the adults and children in the area. Former ZP member Veena Vasu Shetty urged the protesters to be united in their fight irrespective of political leanings.

“It is the question of life of the people. The district administration is deaf towards their grievances,” Shetty said.Anand R, a localite, alleged that the labourers working in the crusher unit consume alcohol and misbehave with the women in the village. Rajesh Renjala said that the blasts in the unit are having high intensity. As a result, cracks have appeared in the walls of nearby houses. Moreover, the dust and other effluents emitted by the crusher unit flows directly into the paddy fields, damaging the crops. The drinking water in nearby wells and other water bodies is also contaminated. “Inspite of all these problems, the officials do not have a courtesy to look into it,” he rued.

Prashanth M Daddumane, a resident, said the unit which was closed down following a protest two months ago has again stared functioning. It is a nightmare to the residents of the area.

The stone dust from the crusher unit has damaged his three acres of paddy field and another two acres of arecanut plantation.

He doubted whether the unit has permission to function. A resolution was passed by the villagers during the Gram Panchayath meeting held on February 20 this year to close the unit with immediate effect. However, nothing has been worked out till date, Daddumane added.