Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 11: The people from at least half a dozen villages and hamlets near Nud and Shah Balod areas held strong protest demonstration against the Geology and Mining Department and contractors involved in lifting sand and other material from the tributaries of river Basantar today.
The people of these villages strongly opposed the lifting of sand by the tippers and tractor trolleys from Rui Khud and another tributary of river Basantar. These villagers alleged that due to massive illegal mining from the rivulet, the water table as gone down in many villages and hamlets in the low lying areas. They said during summer months, massive shortage of water is observed every year and natural sources go dry.
The villagers further pointed out that the contractors even lift sand in tippers and trolleys, just closer to bridge on the upper side and it exposes its pillars to floods. During rainy season it becomes threat to the bridge but no agency is bothered about it. They alleged that when some villagers stopped tippers and trolleys yesterday, some contractors took out weapons and warned the villagers of dire consequences. They said earlier also for over four years, they did not allow any mining and they will not allow again in future. The villagers had also clash with the operators of the vehicles and after stoning, they were forced to run away.
A large number of villagers, then met the Deputy Commissioner Samba Mubaral Singh and sought his intervention. They said that Geology and Mining Department be asked to stop issuing any royalty for these two tributaries of Basantar. The DC assured that an order in this regard will be issued.
The villagers held strong protest on the main Samba-Mansar road for over one hour then dispersed and warned the contractors to stay away from lifting sand or face the consequences. They said if any mishap or further violence occurs there, District administration will be responsible for it. They also sought deployment of police in the area as contactors equipped with weapons were terrorizing the locals.
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