A torch rally was organised in Bhangaha Municipality in Mahottari district on Thursday evening to protest rampant extraction of sand and pebbles from local Ratu river and Nadikaus area.

A team from the district coordination committee during a monitoring found most of crusher industries in the area operating illegally. "The team found most of crusher industries illegally operating. But no efforts have been made to remove them," said Mukunda Dahal, vice chairperson of Bhangaha Rural Municipality.

The rally attended by hundreds of the locals chanting slogan marched four kilometers and encircled Ramnagar settlement.

Addressing the corner meet, the protesters have drawn the attention of concerned authorities to resolve the problem.

The protest was the compulsion of locals as the illegal excavation of sand and stones from rivers continues to go unchecked, it is said.

The monitoring of such unethical business by those involved in the operation of crusher industries is taking place just for formality sake. Local Santosh Mahato, 24, said they were threatened not to show 'over' concern on the issue by crusher operators.

Currently, 19 crusher industries are operational on the bank of Ratu river and near it. Some of locals have accused the local representatives of providing protection to crusher operators.

However, Bhangaha-4 ward chair Ashok Kumar Mahato denied such allegation. No local government either it be the municipality or ward office have a favour to such business. The municipality office is working to regulate such industries.

Meanwhile, the District Coordination Committee has called on crusher industries not to violate the operation standards, otherwise, warned of action as per the law. There is widespread public complaint that illegal crushers industries are operational in Bardibas, Aurahi, Gaushala and Bhangaha municipalities and responding to the issue, the District Coordination Committee had already issued an order, seeking the closure of such industries.