Govt’s ban on quarrying triggers massive protest

Protesters block Athwajan road on Monday. -Excelsior/Shakeel
Protesters block Athwajan road on Monday. -Excelsior/Shakeel

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 28: Hundreds of people including women staged a massive protest and blocked highway in Athwajan area on city outskirts against State Government’s ban order on stone-quarrying in the area.
Reports said the Government has banned stone-quarrying activities at Athwajan and Pantha Chowk and has de-notified the entire stretch of quarries that run parallel to the highway. The order triggered rage among families who are dependent on the quarrying with hundreds of men, women and children along with tippers hitting Srinagar-Pampore road at Athwajan.
The protesters completely blocked the road that resulted in heavy traffic jam on otherwise busy Pantha Chowk- Batwara stretch. The protesters were demanding an end to the ban and said it will snatch their livelihood. However, the Government on the other side said the quarrying sites have become vulnerable and can cause human losses.