KOZHIKODE: A group of BJP workers led by party state secretary K. Surendran on Friday stopped a survey initiated by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in Eliyottumala in Kozhikode which the GSI officials claimed was part of an effort to identify the presence of metal deposits across the country. Local residents said the team had taken up test-mining activities by the team at various parts of the hill and marked certain areas for further mining. The survey officials backed out from the scene when the BJP workers blocked the survey procedures demanding that the details and aims of the survey be revealed.
Mr Surendran later said the officials were agents of a mining company and were facilitators for giant mining companies. The area is sacred to residents as the Valliyottukavu temple and Maha Vishnu temple located there, he said, adding, the party will allow no mining activities in the locality whether it is by the state or central governments. It is to be recalled that the procedures to start mining in Chakkittappara in the district was put on hold after the intervention of an action council and political parties including the BJP.
