By IANS,
Panaji : An anti-mining activist was Thursday beaten up by unidentified assailants in South Goa district, allegedly because of his protest against illegal transportation of iron ore near his village, police said.
According to police officials at the Verna police station, Nilesh Gaonkar, resident of Cavrem village and leading protests by villagers against indiscriminate mining and transportation of iron ore, was stopped and beaten up near the Verna industrial estate, 25 km from Panaji.
“We are aware of the assault. A case has been filed against unknown people,” Deputy Superintendent of police Mahesh Gaonkar said.
Nilesh Gaonkar said he was on his way to work when he was assaulted. “They threatened me not to protest about mining in the area,” said Gaonkar, 24, who works as an engineer at a multinational home appliances manufacturing company in Verna.
Cavrem, 60 km from Panaji, is ringed by four mining leases against which the village residents, mainly tribals, have been complaining alleging illegal mining.
The assault has been condemned by civil society organizations who have been protesting against indiscriminate and illegal mining in the state.
“Cavrem Adivasi Bachao Samiti (CABS), GRA (Goenchea Rakhondarancho Awaz), GXE (Goenchea Xettkarancho Ekvott) condemns the use of violence. We demand that the police should take immediate action against the accused,” a spokesperson for CABS said.