Mysuru:  Demanding the State Government to completely ban stone quarrying and mining activities around KRS Dam in Mandya district, members of Kasturi Karnataka Janapara Vedike  took out a padayatra from city to Freedom Park in Bengaluru this morning

They began their journey from Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple shouting slogans against the government for its failure to curb mining activities around KRS that threatened the safety of the Dam. They also wanted the government to provide minimum support price for silk cocoon producers of the State as they were affected by drop in prices.

The protesters will halt near Nimishamba Temple in Srirangapatna tonight. Later they will proceed to Mandya tomorrow and halt at Maddur tomorrow night. They will halt at Channapattana on Nov. 12, Sangama Basavanadoddi on Nov. 13, Kengeri on Nov. 14 and they will reach Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Nov. 15. They will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy after staging a dharna.

State Unit President of the Vedike Ramesh Gowda alleged that use of high-density explosives and other blasting materials by quarry owners not only threatened the safety of KRS Dam but also posed a threat to villagers residing nearby quarry sites. It also caused mild tremors in the region.

Mysuru District Unit President of the Vedike V.C. Girish Kumar, Ramanagaram District Unit President Yogish Gowda, Office-bearers Chethan Kikar, Subramanya, Ranjith Gowda and others were present.