The Samyuktha Samara Samithi temporarily called off their agitation against soil extraction by levelling a hillock at Mattappally in Palamel gramapanchayat, near Mavelikara, after a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday stayed the mining activities.
The Bench consisting of Chief Justice A.J. Desai and Justice V.G. Arun asked the Industries department Principal Secretary to form a four-member committee and prepare a report on the soil mining and submit the same to the court before the next hearing in the case on January 4, 2024. The committee has been asked to visit Mattappally if needed.
Earlier, the Kerala government and the High Court permitted soil extraction from Mattappally. This led to huge protests in the region. The Division Bench issued the interim stay order after considering a petition challenging the Single-Bench order. The Court put a stay on soil extraction after considering a report submitted by District Collector John V. Samuel.
