People of Ranigada panchayat in Odisha's Koraput district have demanded immediate closure of two stone quarries operating in their area alleging that their houses and agricultural fields are being damaged by stone particles and dust released from the units.
The villagers claimed that one stone quarry each at Aatigaon and Ranigada villages in Kundra block are operating without the district administration's permission.
"Our life is made miserable by the stone quarries. While roofs of several houses were damaged after being hit by stone particles flying out of the quarries during blasting, many walls have developed cracks," alleged president of Mahila Bikash Sangathan of Ranigada, Budal Pujari.
Villagers alleged that agriculture land has been damaged because dust from quarries has settled on those. "We demand immediate closure of the quarries," she said adding that the sangathan has also submitted a memorandum to the administration conveying their demand.
"Permission has not been given to anyone to operate stone quarries. If anyone is carrying out blasting operations then action would be taken," said Tehsildar of Kundra, Durga Prasad Maharana.
