Following a conciliation talk initiated by District Collector Seeram Sambasiva Rao, the Chengottumala Samrakshana Samiti on Thursday called off its indefinite strike on the Kottur Grama Panchayat Office premises against a new quarry project in the panchayat limit.
Mr. Rao, who chaired the meeting at the Collectorate, promised that he would visit the location soon and study the environmental issues raised by the Samiti.
The eight-day-old strike had disrupted the functioning of the panchayat office and a number of government offices around it. The protesters, comprising hundreds of local residents and environmental activists, had declared that they would not withdraw from the scene without getting a solid assurance from the district-level authorities.
Though the main demand was to postpone the proposed hearing by the Industries Department on May 17 to consider the D&O licence application submitted by the quarry operator, it was not considered by the department or the district administration as such. Officials said the application was submitted through the legal channel complying with the existing rules and regulations and hence the hearing could not be postponed or cancelled on the basis of the Samiti’s claims.
Meanwhile, the Samiti leaders said the talk initiated by the Collector in the presence of people’s representatives was satisfactory as he had agreed to address the people’s concern before approving the project and review the environmental clearance on the basis of his own observations after visiting the site.
They said the strike was called off considering the positive stand taken by the Collector.
K. Biju, a leader, said there was huge protest from the local residents as the authorities concerned failed to address their concerns. They fear that the proposed project involving large-scale quarrying might cripple their life, he said.
