Image courtesy: Deccan Herald
Karnataka’s Chandahalli villagers are engaged in a 15-day long demonstration demanding property damage compensation despite an alleged crackdown by local administration, reported the Deccan Herald on February 12, 2021.
Residents defied prohibitory orders and protested a quarry, crushing rocks for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway Project, after the company involved in the activity allegedly destroyed public property. Villagers clarified that while they did not oppose the quarry, they wanted the action to be carried as per government regulations.
On Friday, they demonstrated in a quarry pit amidst heavy police deployment abundantly aware of possible police action against them. However, participants said they were encouraged by the support from local organisations. Mandya police soon detained Chandahalli villagers. According to locals, 42 residents were detained at Maddur Rural police station, with sources hinting at possible FIRs against the protestors for the blockade against the quarry.
While officials assured that the ‘logjam’ between quarry owners and local residents will soon be resolved, Kasturi Karnataka Janapara Vedike member Ramesh Gowda, who led the protest, told the Deccan Herald that authorities and the company involved in quarrying, has meted out injustice to locals.
“We have held protests five times over the last few months. Previous demonstrations were stopped by slapping fake cases against villagers,” he claimed.
One of the residents, Krishnappa said his house bore the brunt of blasting at the quarry as the explosions intensified over the course of six months. People living in kaccha houses fear the quarrying will demolish their homes.
Another resident Nagamma accused authorities of ignoring the plight of villagers. She demanded that the district administration should carry out a thorough health check-up to understand the extent of problems due to quarrying such as contamination of nearby water sources. She asked, “Despite well-irrigated lands around, Chandahalli is a rain-fed village. If all water sources are contaminated, how are we supposed to live here?”
Other concerns of residents due to quarrying include premature and aborted birth of calves and lambs and constant dust. Meanwhile, Maddur tahsildar Vijaykumar H. B. told the media that the quarry was leased to a private firm constructing NH-275. He stated that guidelines were followed.
“The company has already offered Rs 40 lakh compensation to affected villages. They have also given an undertaking to offer assistance to anyone affected,” he said.
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