Siliguri, 16th March: The ‘Naadi Shramik Ekya’ staged a protest in front of BDO office of Matigara demanding a lease for sand and stone quarrying from the river. The workers and tractor owners submitted a memorandum to the BDO, Panchayat Samiti President and the BLRO of Matigara.
Reportedly, the river ghat is shut since January due to the non-renewal of the lease. The protesters said that the locals depend on sand and stone quarrying from the river to run their livelihood. They further demanded to open the river ghats before the rainy season as they remain closed during it. They further warned to launch a massive agitation if the ghats are not opened in the next three days which would include blocking the National Highway.
In this regard, Matigara’s BDO Shribas Biswas said that through the District Magistrate, the state government will be asked to give a lease for sand and stone mining from the river.