Thousands of people, affected by the halting of mining inGoa, today walked on the streets of Panjim demanding immediate resumption ofthe ore extraction activity, banned by a Supreme Court order.
The stakeholders of the mining industry, led by Goa MiningPeople's Front (GMPF), held a rally at the Azad Maidan here, asserting that thelegal mines should be allowed to be operated as it was affecting the livelihoodof more than three lakh people in the state.
"State's economy too is in doldrums due to halt in themining activity. The state government may not agree but they have no money inthe coffers to spend for the public schemes," GMPF and labour union leaderChristopher Fonseca said while addressing the rally.
Some MLAs of the ruling BJP-led government representingmining belt were present at the rally and pledged their support to the protest.
Fonseca said that the concerned agencies, including SupremeCourt, should consider the humanitarian point of view while deciding on theissue.
"People are getting affected. We are not supportingillegal mining but we want sustainable mining," he said.
Several other leaders, representing truck association, barge(ship) association and elected representatives also addressed the rally.
Earlier this morning, thousands of people gathered at thecity's bus stand and later walked towards Azad Maidan, situated almost threekms away.
A resolution demanding immediate resumption of mining wasadopted at the end of the protest rally which would be submitted to variousagencies including the state government, central government and Supreme Court.
The apex court had halted extraction and transportation ofore in the state after the Justice M B Shah Commission pointed out glaringillegalities in the mining business.
The court has appointed a Central Empowered Committee (CEC)which has begun probe into the illegal mining in the state.
