Buguda: People in three villages under Buguda tehsil of Ganjam district are upset over serial explosions at stone quarries, but the administration has not taken any action against such activities. Due to explosions of dynamite and other explosive material, lives and properties of people and even wildlife are at a risk.
Angry over blasting for stone mining in Kundakhai hill, people of Karchuli village started a dharna in front of the teshil office from Thursday.
The agitating villagers alleged that the people of Kansuka, Gudipalli and Kunjaban had strongly opposed blasting and drawn attention of the tehsildar and the Collector to the explosions in the past, but no preventive measures were taken to check it.
They also pointed that the mafia has been triggering blasts in stone quarries on Karchuli hill and Bhabasar hill on a daily basis.
Apart from loss of lives and threats to wildlife, blasts have caused cracks in the buildings and houses in peripheral villages, the Karchuli residents alleged.
Locals had apprised the administration of the problems about a week ago, but nothing was done.
As the blasting continued to persist, people of Karchuli resorted to an agitation. “Eventually, we had to hold a dharna against illegal blasting from Thursday,” they said.
The agitating villagers said they have drawn the attention of the Collector, SP, Bhanjanagar sub-collector, Bhanjanagar SDPO, tehsildar and Buguda IIC about the problem.
“If the administration fails to take any action, we will prolong our agitation,” they warned.
PNN