THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister E P Jayarajan told the Assembly on Tuesday that black sand mining in Alappad would not be stopped while Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the Opposition won’t oppose mining that followed certain conditions. Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan pointed out Opposition also had the stand of the government that mining could not be stopped.

Jayarajan reiterated his stand that black sand mining in Alappad doesn’t have any impact on the region. "What black sand is for Kerala is like oil for Gulf countries, it's a natural resource which doesn't do any harm. The protesters were happy after the meeting on January 17, but they continue the protest prompted by some external forces that have an agenda. The compromise moves with the government didn't make any headway because of the intervention of external forces. The mining has been going on for 50 years. The reason for the erosion of the seashore is not sand mining, but the reduction in the sand that flows from rivers to the sea," the minister told the Assembly on Tuesday.

He was responding to the adjournment motion on sand mining in the village in Kollam district over which local people have been protesting for long. The motion was moved by PT Thomas of the Opposition.

"Some even export black sand by using the local people, if this is stopped the protest will also end. Some are blocking mining by even building temple. The protest is against the state interests," Jayarajan reportedly said.

The minister said, "Soil erosion was due to tsunami and not due to mining. In various government reports also, it has been pointed out that the sand mining doesn't have any impact on the region.

There is nothing wrong in giving mineral content of the soil to private sector. We can’t insist that IRE should give raw material to a particular person.

The mining is possible if it abides by Mullakkara Ratnakaran-headed Assembly committee’s report and conditions. No land has been acquired in Alappad without the knowledge of land owner.

The government also didn’t get any complaint in this regard. On the basis of discussion, sea-washing has been temporarily stopped. Further action will be taken based on committee’s report.”

The Opposition’s demand was to discuss the unscientific mining and the serious environmental impact of it in the region by temporarily adjourning the House proceedings. Since the minister went on defending the government’s move, the Opposition staged a walkout, saying that the government was out to destroy Alappad by violating the Central-State rules regarding mining.