THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tension prevailed near Mookunnimala after the Samrakshana Samithi activists blocked the plying of lorries from the quarry, which they alleged was against the existing orders of the collector and the High Court.
A group of women activists led by Radhamani and Renuka, along with Mookunnimala Samrakhshana Samithi joint convenor Surendra Kumar, blocked the lorry that was plying on the Arikkadamukku-Edakkode Mookunnimala road in the morning.
Soon after the incident, the quarry owners blocked the road by parking as many as 15 lorries on the road.
The incident led to heated arguments between the quarry owners and the activists. It is alleged that some of the activists were even manhandled.
Later in the evening, the Naruvamoodu SI held a discussion between quarry owners and the Samara Samithi activists, in which it was decided to maintain status quo. As per the present status, no lorry should ply on the Arikkadamukku-Edakkode Mookunnimala road, which has been agreed upon.
Naruvamoodu SI Indraraj said that both samithi activists and the quarry owners agreed to maintain the status quo. ‘’The district collector’s interim order and the High Court orders should have to be looked into before a final decision is taken,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the samithi activists took out a march against the attack on Surendrakumar and others.
They alleged that the police as well as the other officials were not taking action against those who were violating the orders of the collector and the High Court.
The officials of the revenue, geology department or even the police were not visiting the place even after several complaints were given regarding illegal quarry activities in the hill, defying several orders, they alleged.