Hunger Strike on Sand Mining issues enters Third Day
Udupi: The hunger strike launched by Karnataka Karmika Vedike demanding to frame guidelines allowing sand mining in the district has entered the third day.
The key demands of the protesters are that the shortage of sand has been causing a major problem for the livelihood of labourers since one year. The labourers have become jobless and the economic activities of the district have been affected. The district administration is not taking our protest seriously. The Vedike has demanded the deputy commissioner to give proper assurance on sand mining but he has so far failed to address our problems. The district administration should take immediate measures as it has been proactive in the problems owing to the toll collection issue. The district administration should at least permit the traditional sand miners in Non-CRZ area to extract sand required for construction activities in the district.
The daily wage workers and lorry drivers who have been facing problems due to the ban on sand mining have demanded to lift the ban at least on the sand blocks allotted in the Non-CRZ zone.
Karmika Vedike President Ravi Shetty said that they will continue the hunger strike until their demands are fulfilled.
On Friday BJP leader and DK, Udupi district fish selling federation president Yaspal Suvarna, City BJP Yuva Morcha president Akshith Shetty Herga, Kannada Sahithya Parishat Udupi leader Prashanth Shetty, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike leader Ansar Ahmed and others participated in the protest and extended their support. Members of various other organisations expressed their solidarity with them.
Additional police force was deployed at the protest place to avoid any untoward Incidents.