Unhindered quarrying caused landslides in many parts of Kerala in the last two years.
Now, quarrying has been blamed for the closure of a school in Kerala's Kannur district.
The fate of Government Lower Primary School in Pedena in Peringome grama panchayat hangs in balance after 55 students decided not to attend the school until the government closes all four quarries near the school.
On Monday, the students boycotted classes and marched to gram panchayat office and staged a sit-in, raising their demand.
“I have informed the education department about the class boycott,” informed headmaster T N P Krishnan.
The class boycott was organised with the support of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the school.
“What should we do when quarrying threatens to affect children's studies, health and even the very existence of the school?” asked PTA vice-president A Shajahan. “We have no other option but to boycott,” he said.
Students and their parents will meet the district collector on Tuesday to present their grievances.
Students urged Pinarayi Vijayan's intervention
As many as four quarries function in less than 500 metres from the school.
Respiratory ailments are common among children as they breath dust-choked air throughout the day. The loud sound of detonators – which are used to break stones - terrify the children. The detonations have weakened the basement and pillars of the school. Cracks have already been appeared on the concrete walls.
Parents said they filed many complaints with the government officials, listing out the reasons to stop quarrying. "But our pleas fell on deaf ears," said Shajahan.
Recently, the students wrote letters to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, urging his intervention in this issue.
The Pedena school had more than 100 students before quarries started functioning. With the student enrollments reducing every year, the number stands at 55 now. “This year, we got only seven new students. Parents are reluctant to admit their children here,” Shajahan said. “Quarries are threatening the aspirations of an entire village,” he said.
