Soil mining at Chelannur in Kozhikode temporarily stopped

A woman being arrested during the protest against soil mining at Chelannur in Kozhikode on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

A protester being forcibly removed during the agitation against soil mining at Chelannur in Kozhikode on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

Nine people, including a grama panchayat member, were injured in tension between the police and local residents who protested against soil mining from Pozhikkavu hill at Chelannur in Kozhikode on Sunday. Also, mining has been suspended until further notice. The decision followed a meeting between officials and protesters later in the day.

Soil mining had been going on in the region for months, and it was claimed to be for land filling as part of the national highway development works. Local residents had protested earlier this month alleging that mining in the area was unscientific, following which a geologist conducted a study and furnished a report. Despite an injunction order against mining, it resumed under police protection on Saturday morning.

On Sunday, residents, including women, children, and the elderly, staged a protest demanding that the authorities take action on the basis of the geologist’s report. They claimed that they were protesting peacefully, and that the police had lathi-charged them without any provocation.

The injured are Shijulal, T. Rajini, P. Suresh, M. Nikhila, Subhadra Purayil, Prabhatha, Jijeesh, M. Sreeja, and Jeeja Das. They alleged that many of them were beaten ruthlessly and were dragged through the road.

As tension continued, the police arrested 10 persons including Gouri Puthiyoth, panchayat vice president. At the same time, a truck carrying soil was reportedly blocked by protesters, leading to further tension.

The residents claimed that further mining would disrupt the geological balance of the region and would leave it vulnerable to soil erosion or even landslips.

Later in the day, a meeting was held under the aegis of Deputy Superintendent of Police V. Benny, tahsildar, a geologist, and leaders of the protest committee. The meeting suggested a proper study by the Revenue and geology departments before further action.