KOLLAM: Under the banner of the Velichikala Action Council, the residents of Velichkala organised a Collectorate march and dharna here on Thursday in protest against the allegedly wanton clay mining in the area.

The protestors alleged that mining activity was creating serious environmental and health problems in the area. The dharna was led by patron of the action council Odanavattom Vijayaprakash. Environmental activists T.K. Vinodan, S. Babuji and K. Sajeev among others addressed.

Mr. Vijayaprakash said the dharna was organised to observe the second anniversary of the protest movement organised by the council against the clay mining at Velichikala by a private company.

He said as Leader of the Opposition, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had visited the area and promised to stop the mining if the Left Democratic Front came to power. But several petitions in this connection to Mr. Achuthanandan evoked no response. Greens and human rights activists extended support to the agitation.

Mr. Vijayaprakash said the mining was being carried out even in violation of a High Court verdict that no sort of mining should take place within 50 meters of a house. He alleged that the departments concerned were conniving in the activity.

He further alleged that as a result of the mining activity, the Palliman River was getting polluted. Traditional streams of the area got choked. He warned that if steps were not taken to stop the mining, the action council activists would start a dharna in front of the Secretariat.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail