‘Fake NOC affecting water sources, land’: Villagers protest stone crusher

The contentious issue surrounding the operation of a stone crusher in Salani Katola, under the Nahan constituency of Sirmaur district, has resurfaced, with local villagers once again seeking intervention from the district administration and police authorities.

Villagers have alleged inaction despite submitting a memorandum to the administration two weeks ago, requesting an investigation into the alleged irregularities concerning the crusher’s operations. On Monday, a group of residents from Salani Katola met with the Sirmaur Additional Deputy Commissioner, urging a thorough investigation into the matter.

Simultaneously, they approached Additional Superintendent of Police Yogesh Rolta, demanding the deployment of a police team to inspect the site. The villagers alleged that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the gram panchayat to the crusher operator in 2011 was fraudulent.

The villagers have demanded an immediate halting of the stone crusher’s operations until the NOC’s authenticity is verified.

They argued that the crusher’s activities were detrimental to their community, causing environmental and infrastructural damage.

In response to the villagers’ complaints, Nahan Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajeev Sankhyan, along with District Mining Officer Kulbhushan Sharma, conducted an on-site inspection of the stone crusher.

After inspecting the site, Sankhyan said the land on which the crusher was operating has a valid lease agreement issued by the department concerned. However, he acknowledged the villagers’ concerns about the NOC issued in 2011, and assured them that the matter is under review.

The SDM said the crusher’s operations could not be halted as long as those operating it complied with the lease permit. However, he directed the crusher operator to construct a crate wall to prevent any damage to the surrounding land. Additionally, measures have been ordered to protect drinking water sources and pipelines in the area.

The villagers claim that the stone crusher’s operations have adversely affected the local environment and community infrastructure.

They argue that its presence poses a risk to nearby water sources, agricultural land, and overall public health. The residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of prompt action from the administration, which they believe has emboldened the operator.

The district administration has assured the villagers that their concerns would be addressed in a fair and transparent manner. The SDM, along with Revenue and Mining departments, is currently examining all aspects of the issue, including the validity of the NOC.