Government sand quarry in Karmangudi village closed following agitation by public

CUDDALORE: A government sand quarry in Karmangudi village near Vriddhachalam in the district was closed today following prolonged agitation by people of 13 villages, demanding its closure on alleged excessive quarrying over the stipulated norms, a revenue official said.

More than 10,000 people from these villages had staged protests since Monday night, demanding its closure and prevented quarrying of sand, Vriddhachalam Revenue Divisional Officer, P M Senthilkumar told reporters today.

Two rounds of talks with the villagers failed following which the District Collector C Suresh Kumar ordered its closure, he said.

President of Villagers Agitation Committee, advocate C Raju alleged that the quantum of sand meant to be quarried within three years had been taken in just one month and demanded a CBI probe into it.