Seers, villagers protest illegal quarrying in Haridwar

HARIDWAR: Matri Sadan seers and villagers in Pathri area in Haridwar protested against illegal quarrying on the Ganga riverbed, demanding legal action against the violators.

The villagers alleged that local legislator and rural development cabinet minister Swami Yatishwaranand is siding with illegal quarrying mafia, which he refuted.

After noticing illegal quarrying on the Ganga bed at Bishanpur, several villagers brought it to the notice of Matri Sadan ashramites who have been involved in anti-quarrying agitations.

“Mass scale illegal quarrying is going on in the area, with administration not taking legal action against the violators,” Matri Sadan ashram spiritual ideologue Swami Shivanand Saraswati said. “JCB machines and dumpers are illegally operating and supplying quarrying material from the Ganga riverbed. We oppose this and if need be, Matri Sadan asharamites won’t hesitate to start an agitation to protect the local ecology.”

Sukhdev Pal, former village head of Bishanpur, said, “Villages of Bishanpur, Nayi Kundi, Purani Kundi, Jiyopata, Katarpur

and Pherupur are keeping a watch on illegal quarrying and opposing it.” Villagers said illegal quarrying has increased in the area in cold wave and foggy conditions. Recently at Imlikheda road in Bhagwanpur, police had seized a truck ferrying illegal quarrying material.

Protesting villagers raised slogans against Yatishwaranand, alleging that the minister is backing the quarrying lobby.

Refuting the allegations, the minister said charges are being levelled against him at the behest of his political opponents who want to malign his image ahead of assembly polls.

“Allegations of protesting villagers are baseless. As it is election time, a section of people who are politically and ideologically against me are creating such issues,” said Yatishwaranand.