Quarry shutdown threat looms despite laterite stone price revision

Even as Chengal Vyavasaya Association reduced its proposed increase in laterite stone price from ₹8 to ₹3.50 per stone, laterite quarry operators on Wednesday announced an indefinite suspension of quarrying, alleging obstruction to operations despite a district-level settlement.

The association had decided to resume quarry operations on Tuesday after scaling down the proposed laterite stone price. However, quarry operators alleged that in some parts of Kannur, groups affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), blocked quarry operations and vehicles transporting laterite stones, forcing operators to suspend work indefinitely.