Week-long bandh in Goa's mining belt from 21 August

Panaji: Goa Mining People’s Front on Saturday said it would hold a week-long bandh in Goa’s mining belt, seeking immediate resumption of mining in the state. Mining has been stayed by the Supreme Court, following PILs about rampant illegal mining in the state.  GMPF today held a meeting in Panaji and resolved to hold successive bandhs from 21 August to 28 August. “Each day, there will be a bandh in one tehsil. The entire agitation will be peaceful,” GMPF leader Christopher Fonseca told reporters after the meeting. A rally will be held in Panaji on 29 August, to demand resumption of mining immediately after Ganesh Chaturthi festival which starts on 9 September. “It’s for almost one year that the mining has been stopped due to Supreme Court order forcing the people to lead a hands to mouth existence. 25 percent of people in the state are dependent on mining,” Fonseca said. Neither the Central government nor the state government was serious about the issue, he alleged. The future course of action would be announced at 29 August public rally, he said. PTI