Writer and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sarah Joseph has accused the police of showing bias towards the powerful quarry mafia operating out of Muthalamada grama panchayat in Chittur taluk.
Talking to mediapersons here on Saturday, she expressed concern over the delay in arresting the hired goons who attacked three environmentalists who attempted to block a truck carrying granite illegally from the village. ‘‘The incident took place on Wednesday night, but the criminals are still at large. They are enjoying enormous political clout. The police are attempting to weaken the case by charging counter cases against environmentalists,’’ she said after visiting the injured in the hospital.
Backing
According to her, the attackers enjoyed political backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh combine as one of the quarry owners subscribed to their ideology.
The area was facing an environmental catastrophe as four big and 20 small quarries were damaging its topography, she said. ‘‘Apart from causing severe air pollution and destabilising houses, the quarries are causing alarming depletion of drinking water at Muthalamada. However, no mainstream political party has extended support to the attacked environmentalists so far,’’ she said.
