Stone crushers: locals blame Addl CS of deceiving activists

Despite the order of the Uttarakhand Government regarding cancellation of the five stone crushers in Maletha and adjoining areas and two in the Chauras area in Tehri district based on the enquiry report of the Garhwal Commissioner CS Napalchyal, local activists on stir against the stone crushers opined that Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma had once again befooled the activists. 

They pointed out that the cancellation orders for the Devendra Datt Baluni stone crusher and Satyam Shivam stone crusher in Maletha and adjoining area have been drafted in an unclear language unlike the orders regarding the rest of the five cancellation orders. The activists have given a 24-hour ultimatum to the State Government warning that if the cancellation orders for these two crushers were not rectified and made clear like the other stone crushers’ cancellation orders, the eight women activists on hunger strike would give up even water. They along with Save Himalaya Movement member Sameer Raturi would continue their protest till their demands are met. 

The hunger strike of Sameer Raturi entered its 30th day on Friday.Maletha Gram Pradhan and covenor of Maletha Sangharsh Samiti Suryaveer Singh Bisht told The Pioneer that the cancellation order for five stone crushers was in very clear language and up to the satisfaction of the activists on stir. 

However, the order of the cancellation of Davendra Dutt Baluni and Satyam Shivam stone crushers had been drafted in such a language that it could be challenged and was not as clear as the order regarding the other five stone crushers. 

Bisht said that five stone crushers had been given licence to operate in Maletha and adjoining area. Due to 11-month long stir against the operation of stone crusher, three stone crushers were while  Devendra Dutt Baluni stone crusher and Satyam Shivam stone crusher have continued to operate in the area.  Activists allege that these two stone crushers have the protection of the two cabinet ministers and to please them the ACF had issued different cancellation orders for these stone crushers.