Goa Mines Dept accuses protestors of extortion

In the backdrop of protests hampering the mining activity in Goa, a senior government official has accused the agitators of extorting money from the mine owners in the guise of pollution and related issues.
"Prior to suspension of (iron ore) mining activity in September 2012 (in Goa), when prices of minerals were at the peak, in the name of social cost, dust pollution, traffic jam etc, some of the people residing in the vicinity of transportation routes were extorting money from the lease holders and the same was paid by them under distress," Director Mines and Geology department, Prasanna Acharya has said in a statement issued here last week.

Acharya's statement comes in the wake of recent protests against the mining activity in Sonshi village in Bicholim Taluka wherein the agitators had stopped the truck of a mining firm pointing out to the pollution during transportation of the ore.
Almost 100 people, majority of whom were women, were arrested by police and later released by the police.
Acharya said notwithstanding repeated requests and warnings the protests in various parts continue affecting the smooth resumption of mining activity in the state.
"It is imperative that in upholding the provisions of law and enforcing the directions of apex court (Supreme Court), all organs and instrumentalities of the state should work in perfect harmony," he said.

"Any act of commission or omission done by any member of society to obstruct legal mining operations or transportation or storage thereof are not only to be acted against swiftly but also sternly, so that law and order is maintained and is sent across the state that such illegal acts of omission and commission shall not be tolerated in future," Acharya said in the statement which is well publicised through department's website.
The Supreme Court had lifted the two-and-half year old ban imposed on mining activity following which firms like Sesa Iron Ore and Fomento Resources began the exports.
Sesa had faced obstruction in transportation of the ore when truckers resorted to strike and blocked the roads late last year.