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Attempt to annul ban order alleged

Staff Reporter

Sand-mining in Kattikunnu islet

KOTTAYAM: The residents of Kattikunnu islet at Chempu panchayat in Vaikom taluk who had heaved a sigh of relief when the authorities clamped a ban on the indiscriminate sand-mining from their little piece of land are again under apprehension.

With the entire sand-mining operations officially banned in Chempu panchayat and Vaikom taluk on the basis of an order (No.2925/MI/05 dated May 3, 2005), specifically issued for the Kattikunnu area, the sand-mining lobby has stepped up their pressure tactics, according to T.M. Vijayan, convener of Kattikunnu Drinking Water Protection Committee.

Stir threat

The committee has taken up the matter with the authorities concerned and has impressed upon them that any move to get the order rescinded would lead to another round of popular agitation.

The islet, 2.5 km long and less than 1 km in width in most places, had witnessed a series of agitations early this year when their only source of drinking water, the Kattikunnu Mini Water Supply Scheme, was under threat as its source got saline. The reason: the indiscriminate sand-mining, just 150 m away from the source, breaching all rules and regulations. The sand pits that formed on account of mining got filled with saline water during high tide and this water used to seep into the nearby wells.

The concerted action on the part of the people, cutting across communal and political affiliations, had forced the authorities to take note of the issue. The order by the Mining and Geology Department, which found that the area showed tidal influence and as such came under the coastal regulations, had effectively banned sand mining.

Lobby active again

According to Mr. Vijayan, the ban was followed by stoppage of sand-mining in many places in Chempu and Vaikom taluk. According to him, the sand-mining lobby has been asked by senior political leadership to ensure support from Kattikunnu, so that the order could be effectively invalidated for all practical purposes. The lobby has again become active and has put the nearly 15,000-strong population of this place under pressure, he says.

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Attempt to annul ban order alleged

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