Quarry operators in Kozhikode seek police protection

Alleging attempts by a section of tipper lorry drivers to obstruct quarrying following differences of opinion over the recent hike in prices of quarry products, a coordination committee of quarry and crusher operators has approached the police seeking protection for eight granite quarries in Kozhikode district for resuming full-fledged operations.

The committee leaders who submitted a petition to Inspector General of Police (North Zone) Rajpal Meena seeking his direct intervention in the issue complained that they had been facing challenges from tipper lorry drivers for over two weeks, and that an improved police presence alone would ensure safety for quarry workers.

The committee led by A.K. Davison alleged that tipper lorry drivers, with the support of a few associations, had been preventing the entry of vehicles to the quarry and crusher units in several locations, terming the recent price revision of quarry products as an illegal move. The revised prices came into effect only with the approval of the authorities, they claimed.

“We approached the police as the drivers have started threatening buyers who arrange their own vehicles. This cannot be tolerated. We want protection for eight quarries where drivers are creating troubles,” said a granite quarry owner from Mukkom. He said the illegal protests blocking vehicles would interrupt the pace of many major construction works in the public sector.

Following a series of protests by tipper operators and their associations, the Revenue department authorities had earlier held discussions with the quarry owners and sought the possibility of reviewing the price hike. Based on the officials’ suggestions, the quarry owners had agreed to supply the products at a reduced rate for construction works in the government sector. However, many of the lorry operators were not happy with the reduction granted to the government sector alone.

Meanwhile, the tipper lorry operators owing allegiance to the Goods Transport Workers Union said they would take out a march to the Collectorate on January 27 in protest against the “unjust price revision” that hit the construction sector. They also pointed out that the price hike would impose an additional financial burden of around ₹1,200 per truckload on ordinary buyers.