Farmers of 10 Muthur in Kinathukadavu block in Coimbatore district have reportedly received an assurance that the Department of Geology and Mines will look into their complaint about the destruction caused to agricultural activities by a stone quarry in the village.The villagers alleged that the quarry has been operating for the past nine years, well beyond the permitted duration.A petition was submitted on behalf of the farmers by P. Muruganandam to Minister for Natural Resources, Minerals and Mines T.K. Prabhu.The assurance was given by the Minister in the wake of an announcement by the villagers that they would begin their indefinite relay hunger fast if the government did not take action.The villagers complained that due to excessive use of explosives by the stone quarry, dust had descended on trees and vegetation, severely impacting their farm produce and livelihood. The groundwater level was also fast depleting, Mr. Muruganandham said.The villagers said that stones scattered from the quarry, just 70 metres away, from explosions had damaged their houses and that they lived in the constant fear of being fatally hit by the stones.The villagers, who had planned a prolonged protest in the absence of any meaningful government intervention in recent years, have reportedly decided to wait to see if the Department of Geology and Mines would, this time around, intervene meaningfully. Published - July 04, 2026 09:10 pm IST