GFP threatens 'extreme steps' if mining does not resume in Goa

The Goa Forward Party (GFP), an ally of the BJP in Goa, Friday said it could take "extreme steps" and even think of walking out of the government if mining did not resume in the state soon.

The Shiv Sena also backed the mining-dependent people, saying it would support any amendment to the existing mining laws that could help revive the crisis-hit industry in the coastal state.

Around 3,000 mining-dependent people sat on a token, day-long hunger strike at the Azad Maidan here over their demand for resumption of the industry in the state.

GFP and Shiv Sena leaders came out in support of the protesters.

Puti Gaonkar, the president of the Goa Mining People's Front, an umbrella organisation of the people dependent on the mining industry, demanded that the Centre amend the existing laws to give a new lease of life to the industry.

The Supreme Court had in February quashed the second renewal of 88 mining leases, following which the state's key revenue-generating industry came to a halt.

Addressing the protesters, GFP vice-president Santosh Kumar Sawant said the Centre could amend the existing mining laws to allow resumption of the iron ore extraction activity in the state.

"Though we are part of the state government, on behalf of the party, I assure you all that we will be forced to take extreme steps if mining does not resume before the Lok Sabha polls (due next year)," he said.

The GFP, which has three MLAs in the Goa Assembly, is an alliance partner in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government.

Sawant said, "All the three GFP MLAs would be the first ones to walk out of the government, if the time comes, in support of the thousands of people dependent on the mining industry."