Quarry holders, stone crusher owners stage protest
Demand lifting of ban on operations
Srinagar: People associated with stone crusher and quarry business who are permanently out of work Saturday appealed Government to lift ban on quarrying and operations of stone crushers.
Scores of people under the banner of Himalayan Quarry & Tipper Association, Stone Crushers Association and All Quarry Association assembled here in Press Enclave Srinagar to register their protest.
“Geology & Mining Department has cancelled our permits and has cut power supply to our crushing sites. The work season has started but we are jobless and forced to stay at homes. We are not allowed to utilize our own resources,” the protestors alleged.
The protestors said they fail to understand the motive behind banning quarry and stone crusher operations.
“We are ready to pay royalty to the Geology & Mining Department, yet we are denied our right to earn a living,” said Nazir Ahmed adding that they are unable to support their families or their children’s education.”
They said it isn’t just those directly involved in the quarrying businesses that have been affected.
“The ban has caused distress to an entire economic network built around the quarries, stone crushers – machine and truck spare part dealers, workshops involved in the maintenance of equipment, even tea stalls and restaurants near the sites have become the victims,” he said.
“Government claims it wants to develop Srinagar as smart city. Our simple question is that where from will it get raw material if it won’t allow us to work,” they questioned.
“The quarries keep construction contractors in business. They supply stones to stone crusher units that, in turn, provide crushed stones to hot-mix plants for the macadamization of roads.”
The protesters threatened to intensify their protest and said they will observe hunger strike either outside LG’s office or Divisional Commissioner’s office. (KNT)
