Mega protest seeking permission for lifting, transport of sand

Deputy Commissioner A M Kunjappa has said that as sand mining near Cauvery River has been banned following the Supreme Court’s order, it was not possible to give permission to transport sand in bullock carts.

He was speaking at a meeting following a mega protest by Raitha Sangha, bullock cart owners and labourers, in association with several organisations. Receiving a memorandum from the Chalavadi Mahasabha district president Anagalli Basavaraju, Kunjappa assured to bring their problems to the notice of the government.
The memorandum demanded that permission be given to lift sand in coracles and transport it within the district .

The Deputy Commissioner appealed to the protesters to cooperate with the district administration as the Supreme Court had warned that sand lifting from river banks would have an adverse impact on the environment and also drinking water.
He warned of stern punishment against those who violate the SC order and lift sand from the river.

Meeting

A meeting was held between the sand labourers and leaders of various organisations at RMC auditorium who explained the problems to the DC.

They said that labourers were falling into debt traps as they had taken loans to purchase bullock carts. .
Police had beefed up security to prevent any untoward incidents. SP S Rangaswamy Nayaka, Assistant Commissioner Kavitha Rajaram, Tahsildar C Mahadevaiah and others were present.
DH News Service