Goa govt pays monetary relief to victims of police action

State govt paid Rs 5,000 each to 737 villagers who were victims of police action during their protest against alleged illegal mining

Complying with National Human Rights Commission's direction, Goa government has paid monetary relief to 737 villagers who were victims of police action during their protest against alleged illegal mining.

In a statement released today, the Commission said that it not only recommended, but also ensured that Goa Government paid Rs 5,000 each to 737 villagers, whose human rights were violated in police action when they were protesting to stop illegal mining activities in and around village Carvem.

The state government has submitted proof of payment of a sum of Rs 36.85 lakh paid to the victims and informed the NHRC that two members of a family refused to accept the financial relief, while three persons had expired.

The Commission directed the Goa's Additional Secretary, Department of Home (General) to make payment, within four weeks, to the heirs of the three persons who had expired. "In their complaint to the Commission, the villagers had alleged that they had been suffering from air and noise pollution as the mining truck owners and companies were plying their vehicles beyond the Government stipulated time.

The local police, instead of sympathising with them, had unleashed a reign of terror on innocent villagers and lathi-charged them," the statement said.