A truck and a jeep trying to transport Iron ore from Fomentos mine in Colamb was seized today evening by the State Forest department after a group of around 80 villagers alerted the officials attached to Curdi Forest range in Sanguem Taluka.
Early morning today mining company allegedly broke open the barbed wire fencing put up by the Forest department and opened a road through Forest. Mining company however tried to begin transport only at around 5 pm. The villagers who were keeping vigil on the site immediately rushed and blocked the road and alerted the Curdi Range Forest officials.
5 member team for the Curdi range forest as well as Jeep load of Police from Sanguem Police station landed on the spot by 5.30 pm. Police and Forest officials then took control of the situation and ceased truck bearing registration number GA02 T8304 as well as the Jeep with registration number GA 09 U1999. Both the drivers too were arrested for violating Forest laws.
It may be noted that Goa Bench of Bombay High Court has admitted the petition of Rama Velip and others on March 10 2008 seeking directions to close down this mine with TC No. 06/1949 due to disastrous fallout on their agriculture and natural water sources. The next hearing is to up for hearing on March 24 2008; Fomentos however are trying to forcefully transport the Ore before that date. The company is indeed walking on narrow path of contempt of Court.
Sebastian Rodrigues
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