Hooghy, 05 April (H.S.): Villagers in Khanakul area of Hooghly district staged a protest on Sunday against alleged illegal sand mining from the Mundeswari River at Kurkuri Ghat under Tatishal Gram Panchayat, citing serious threats to their village.

Residents alleged that sand is being extracted in an unplanned manner in the name of river restoration, putting the entire village at risk. According to them, Udona village is surrounded by the river on all sides, and for most of the year, people depend on a bamboo bridge and boats for transportation.

They claimed that heavy sand extraction using dumpers and trucks has weakened the base beneath the bamboo bridge, raising fears of a major accident. Excessive mining has also created large pits in the riverbed, increasing the risk of land subsidence and possible collapse of the village.

The villagers demanded an immediate halt to sand mining activities and also called for the construction of a permanent concrete bridge.

During the protest, agitated locals blocked the road used for transporting sand by setting it on fire. On receiving information, a team from Khanakul Police Station reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

The police assured the villagers that sand mining in the area would be stopped. The incident has created tension in the locality, and the protest is being seen as a potential concern for the ruling establishment ahead of the Assembly elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey