Mining activities kick dust in Bicholim

The peoples movement in Bicholim, resulting in the first ever large movement in Bicholim Taluka.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Patnekar, 70 others arrested
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MAYEM, MAY 19 — Tension gripped Advalpal-Bicholim on Monday, as hundreds of irate villagers staged a protest rally and forcibly stopped mining activities in the village.
Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar and 70 agitators were later arrested in the connection, even as villagers have threatened to intensify their agitation if mining companies do not stop operations in the village within eight days.
Residents have been opposing mining activities in the village, ever since mining companies resumed operations two years ago, after a gap of about 40 years.
Villagers were aggrieved that despite several complaints to authorities, mining operations continued unabated.
Left with no option, villagers then convened a meeting two weeks ago to chalk out their future course of action. When authorities failed to break the deadlock between the agitating residents and mining companies, residents of Advalpal decided to stop mining activities on Monday.
Incidentally, villagers first sought blessings of the local goddess Shantadurga at the local temple, before stopping all trucks and vehicles linked to mining activities. The protestors then went to three mining sites and forcibly stopped operations, including loading of ore.
Bicholim Deputy Collector Arvind Bugde, DySP Bosco Silva, Bicholim PI Braz Menezes, Mamlatdar Upendra Bhat, PSI Tukaram Walke and a police team rushed to the spot. But they could do little to persuade villagers to disperse from the site.
Efforts to persuade Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, who was also at the site, met with little success. “I will always be with the villagers as they are facing acute hardship. It is my responsibility to support them for their safety,” said Patnekar.
Mining companies then lodged a complaint against the villagers, but the police was initially reluctant to arrest any of the protestors. But when talks between the villagers and mining officials broke down in the afternoon, mining operations resumed in the evening. The agitators then rushed to a mining site and tried to stop the operations. Police then arrested Patnekar and 70 agitators under Section 151 IPC.
Angered by the arrest of MLA Patnekar and 70 others, a number of women rushed to the Bicholim police station and squatted on the floor in protest for about two hours. Patnekar and 70 others were later released on bail by the Deputy Collector.
The agitators, however, vowed to continue their protests till mining activities are stopped in the village.
“We are determined to fight unto death and nobody will stop us from doing so” warned Shyamsundar Naik, leader of the agitating residents.
“Mine owners and Government officials are working in collusion to finish Advalpal village, which was once full with lush green hills and natural heritage. Water bodies like springs and wells have been destroyed, while there is sound and air pollution in the entire village,” he said.