Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, April 08: The villagers of Brichgunj, Brookshabad today blocked the main road in front of Municipal Office Brichgunj leading to the Army Cantonment demanding removal of Stone Crusher Units from the residential area.
The protest started today at 9.00 am wherein the villagers sat on an indefinite protest on the road. According to the villagers, there are many mini crushing units, stone crushing plants and a bitumen mixing plant functioning in the area, which the villagers say are illegal.
Villagers also alleged that even after the clear cut directions issued by the Deputy Commissioner on 22.06.2007 which clearly speaks that the entire road passing through Brichgunj Village up to the Quarry site at Brookshabad has closed for all kinds of Transport Vehicles of Quarry Products, the order is disobeyed by the owners of Crushing Units.
The villagers also complained that the uncontrolled stone crushing works has been emitting large amount of dust, causing endless miseries to the villagers.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the residents of the area said that due to the uncontrolled operation of crushing units the area is completely covered with the dust because of which they are unable do any agriculture or plantation works. They further claimed that most of the persons residing at Brichgunj, Brookshabad is suffering from either Asthma or Skin Disease just because of uncontrolled operation of crushing units.
According to reports, the villagers have decided to continue the strike till the Administration closes down these units from the village and also implements ban on plying of heavy commercial vehicles in the area.
Further Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mrs Vaishali Rani Dayal, Ward Councillor said that the residents had written a letter on 31/03/2016 to the Lt Governor and also to various other departments demanding closure of these crushing units but the administration has neither taken any step in this regard nor has given villagers any kind of assurance.
Mrs Vaishali further made it clear that the villagers will continue their strike till their demands are fulfilled.
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