Chembanmudy landslip: locals lay siege to village office

Villagers, including women and children, laid siege to the village office at Athikkayam on Wednesday, demanding total ban on quarrying and closure of all granite quarries and crusher units at Chembanmudy which is considered as the tallest hill in the district. A minor landslip following the flooding of water collected in large pools formed in the quarry on Tuesday evening had damaged crops in the valley, creating scare among the villagers. The flooding was due to the heavy rain.

District Collector Pranab Jyotinath rushed to the spot on Tuesday night and directly monitored the damage control exercise carried out by the Fire Force, Disaster Management wing of the District Administration, and the police personnel.