Kozhikode: Tension broke out at Chelannur in Kozhikode during a protest march against ordinary earth mining and soil extraction at Pozhikavu hill here on Sunday.

The members of Janakeeya Samara Samithi took out a march to Pozhikkavu hill, where ordinary earth is being extracted for road widening works. The police blocked them, forcing the protesters to stage a road blockade. Tension rose, following which police forcibly removed the protesters from the road. The samithi members said that cops manhandled them and two women who sustained injuries have been admitted to hospital. Though the Kakkur police held nearly 12 people in custody, they were all released after a reconciliation talk, which was led by the Kozhikode Rural DYSP V Benny and the Tahasildar Premlal. The mining has been halted at present.

"Following the meeting, it was decided to halt soil extraction and a study will be conducted," said PP Nousheer, President of the Chelannur Grama Panchayat. Nikhila Jijeesh and Pravadha are the two women who were admitted to Beach Government General Hospital in Kozhikode.

The construction company has been extracting earth by demolishing hills for the widening works of the National Highway for the last few months. This led to widespread protests from locals who raised concerns over ecological impact and safety issues. Mining was temporarily halted following the intervention of the District Collector. However, the construction company resumed mining on Saturday, accompanied by police and officials from the district administration. This provoked the residents and they tried to block the vehicles which led to tension.