Mir Sam Reports
Bandipora : After the government banned the mining of stones,scores of people of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Monday register their protest and termed Govt’s ban a serious threat to their livelihood.
Scores of protestors talking with Kashmir Despatch over phone rued the government decision and termed it a serious threat to their livelihood , they said that stone carving and quary was the only source for thousands of people in this region and if this ban will be continue people in thousands will suffer to manage their livelihood.
The protesters said that on one hand the incumbent administration is making much bravado about investment and employment generation in the same vein it is bent upon to disturb the livelihood of scores of manual labors.
The protesting labors also alleged local authorities for failed to redress this issue despite repeated approaches. They said that if non of official is serious towards this poor section of people then we have only option to hit the streets and to raise our voices.
Mohammad Ramzan Ganai a protest of Suderkoot Bala told Kashmir Despatch that it’s very unfortunate that government is making us suffer as we are poor section people and are holly and solly dependent on stone mining, he said that if this ban will not be revoked we will be unable to feed our family especially to our young children.
Farooq Ahmed Ganai another protestor to this reporter over phone that this government ban on us is directly affecting the future of our children as with this ban we will be not able to provide basic necessities of life to our younger generation. He said that since decades we villagers are doing this work and are feeding ourselves.
He said that we have taken loans from banks for our vehicles and business units and government, now by stopping our businesses will cause us many problems.
Meanwhile the protesting labors while threatening the govt. said if this ban will not be revoked at earliest they ll go for bigger protest.They said that government should come up with alternates so that they can continue their business activities.
The protesters later dispersed off peacefully after army’s intervene.
