Karkala: An illegal grit stone mining business going on unabated in Kodel deemed forest area of Kukkunduru in Karkala has come to light after several Dalit families in the region complained of shortage of drinking water.

Though the government rules are stringent went it comes to venturing into deemed forest for any developmental purpose or even building a house for the needy, some individuals have been carrying on mining business fearlessly.

The only source of water for the Dalits living in fringes of Kodel area is a well, which is owned by a private individual. To access this well, the Dalit families had to walk about one and half kilometre. What more, while the families dependent on this well ferry pots of water for drinking purposes, bathing is a luxury that is available only once a week!

But, as if that was none of their concern, the local representatives and officials have turned blind eyes.

It is said that these Dalit families had migrated to this region from Tamil Nadu about two decades ago. These families have rights over the land in which they have been living, they have door numbers and hence they have the voting rights as well. But, drinking water and other basic facilities have still been a mirage.

As a solution to their problem, a ring well was dug in a cavern left after mining of laterite stone in the area. But to their dismay the water was available in this well only till December leaving as many as 15 Dalit families high and dry.
Though the matter was brought to the notice of Kukkunduru GP President, Panchayat Development Officer and other officials, nothing positive has taken place.

However, when groups of journalists visited the village to have a look at the plight of the Dalit families, all that they could see was JCBs, tippers, lorries etc ferrying gritstones.

Even as people are crying for water, some private individuals continue to loot the forest to mint hefty money.