BICHOLIM, March 14 -- Team Herald

Khanyale villagers withdrew their week-long hunger strike following Sindhudurg District Collector Anil Patil's directive stopping operations of stone quarries and crushing units as well as transportation near the Tillari Dam, until further orders.

The directive is in response to the protests by Khanyale villagers over illegal mining activities in the area.

Approximately, seven such units were operational in the ecologically-sensitive region using limited period minor mineral mining permits. The decision has been taken following discussion with the officials which pointed out that the mining activities can have detrimental impact on the Tillari Dam as well as water in the village, states the order issue...