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

PANAJI: Goa Mining People's Front today 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 here and resolved to hold successive bandhs from August 21 to August 28.

"Each day, there will be a bandh in one tehsil. The entire agitation will be peaceful," GMPF leader Christopher Fonseca told reporters here after the meeting.

A rally will be held here on August 29, to demand resumption of mining immediately after Ganesh Chaturthi festival which starts on September 9.

"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 per cent 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 August 29 public rally, he said.