Raitha Sangha protests illegal quarrying; villagers stage a sit-in

The deputy commissioner’s office, here, witnessed protests in support and against the quarrying activities on Monday.

While Raitha Sangha members staged a protest against the quarrying at Bettadahalli, a few residents of the village demanded permission to continue the mining activities.

The farmers’ group alleged that the indiscriminate quarrying at Bettadahalli, Dadighatta and the surrounding villages for the past few years has affected the water table and agricultural activities 

The stone crushers are posing health hazards to the residents in the village and surrounding areas, they complained and alleged that the the quarry operators in connivance with the officials of the department of Mines and Geology are plundering natural resources.

The land surveyors are not honest and are in favour of the quarry operators, they criticised.They pointed out that Hassan Assistant Commissioner H N Nagaraj had convened a meeting and had submitted a report to the district administration in the month of July. The proceedings of the meeting conducted on July 8 has not been implemented, they complained.

The contractor, who has got the tender for Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola has taken up mining. Police personnel too have been threatening those who lodge complaints in this regard. The district administration should take stern action against the violators, they demanded.

Meanwhile, the residents of Dadighatta, in Shravanabelagola hobli, also staged a counter protest saying that mining activities on survey number 224 is not illegal and should not be stayed. According to villagers, contractors S B Jagadish, Rathnamma and H N Rajegowda have taken up mining with valid license from the government and are providing jobs to hundreds of unemployed persons.