Villagers storm stone quarry after huge blast

BALLARI: Villagers of Halekote in Siriguppa taluk stormed a stone quarry near the village after a loud blast rattled houses and caused some damage to household articles.

Villagers stormed the quarry after the massive blast.

The villagers alleged that a huge blast was carried out on Sunday late afternoon at the quarry illegally with pieces of stone falling on houses, causing damage and a cloud of dust causing breathing problems. Shaken by this, the villagers stormed the quarry and vented out their anger.

The police also visited the quarry and took stock of the situation.

There are quite a few quarries around Halekote and blasting is carried out frequently. But the villagers alleged that at one of the quarries, a borewell-like deep hole was drilled into which explosive material was filled illegally to blast the rocks.

Villagers complained that the dust had caused breathing difficulties.

The impact of the blast was such that stones hit houses in the village and the dust caused breathing difficulties, they charged. The Tekkalakotee police visited the spot and inspected the quarry.