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MiningA school in the middle of a mine?November 2007 High steel prices make Goa a mining hub30 Apr 2008, 0301 hrs IST,Nitin Sethi,TNN NEW DELHI: Here is a consequence of rising global steel prices that has made even the bad quality of iron ore in India as precious as gold: tourism hotspot Goa, more known for its clean sand beaches on the edge and the verdant greens on the inside, is turning into a red-iron ore mining zone. More than 70 mining leases have been given environmental clearances in less than 2 years to mines covering 66.9 sq km of the state's forested areas in the hills have been leading to a crisis in the state. Though Goa has been well known since the time of the Portuguese for its iron ore deposits and some of the well known Goa-based football clubs are run by mining giants of the state but the spurt in global demand, especially fed by the Chinese consumption levels, has begun to turn the state red with iron ore mines. Goa's mining problems— Sunita Narain We were standing between a massive mine and a stunning water reservoir. Local activists were explaining to me that this iron ore mine was located in the catchment of the Salaulim water reservoir, the only water source for south Goa. Suddenly, as I started clicking with my camera, we were surrounded by a jeepload of men. They said they were from the mine management and wanted us off the property. We explained that we had come on a public path and that there were no signs to indicate that we were trespassing. But they were not in a mood to listen. They snatched the keys of our jeep, picked up stones to hit us and got abusive. Before things got totally out of hand, we decided to leave. They followed us till they saw that we left the area and most importantly, could not stop and take more photographs. Colomb villagers lay siege to Quepem police stationNT News Service According to the Quepem police, the villagers are protesting against the site and alleging that it is illegal. Today morning a group of around 30-35 people, most of them women, blocked the road leading to the site by placing boulders and squatting across the road. Police repression yet again in Colambby Sebastian Rodrigues March 25, 2008: Twenty one Colamb villagers were picked up by Police at the instruction of Deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes from the Khodidas Hiralal mining site at 4.00 pm today March 25, 2008. The villagers were protesting the granting of permission to use the road for transportation of Ore through Forest by Forest department. 16 male constables and 6 lady constables engaged to arrest 16 Women and 5 men. Women were picked up by male constables – manhandled with some women complaining missing of their gold ornaments on their bodies during the scuffle with the police on the mining site. Joint mamlatdar of Sanguem Amol Gaonkar, Sanguem Police Inspector Ramesh Gaonkar, Quepem Police Inspector Naresh Mhamel and Deputy Supritendent of Police Patre were other senior officers that acted to facilitate the arrests of the Colamb villagers. |
From the Discussion ForumSignature Campaign For Goa - Please support. Nov 20, 08 | ARWIN Incorporate Roman Konkani Script Sep 27, 08 | ARWIN Opportunity or Tragedy - Goa Dec 28, 08 | ARWIN 2008 - Victory of activism over succegadponn of Goans Dec 30, 08 | kevgoa SALE OF GOAN LAND Aug 12, 07 | ARWIN
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