Goa: Massive rally on August 29 to protest against ban on mining

People affected with the closure of mining industry in Goa will hold a massive rally in Panaji on August 29 demanding resumption of the activity.

"The only demand that would be raised during the rally is that mining should start immediately," Goa Mining People's Front (GPMF) leader Christopher Fonseca told reporters on Monday. The mining activity have come to a halt since September last year following ban orders from the Supreme Court, affecting 25 per cent of people living in the coastal state.

Fonseca has appealed to all MLAs, ministers and the Speaker of Legislative Assembly to join the rally. "Mining will always remain backbone of the state. The SC should immediately vacate the suspension imposed on this activity," he demanded. Fonseca said the movement demanding resumption of mining is getting good support from unexpected quarters.

The leader said the priority should be to retain livelihood of the people dependent on this activity. "The action against illegal mining should start after starting the legal mining activity," Fonseca added.