It also reminded the government that protest against illegal mining in 2011 in Cavrem had ultimately resulted in a ban on total mining.
“It appears that no lessons have been learnt by the government and the mining companies after the mining ban and its consequent fall-outs,” stated Fr Savio Fernandes, executive secretary of CSJP.
He also stated that the lifting of the mining ban by the Supreme Court should in no way be assumed to be a license for the government and mining companies to indulge in violation of human rights and illegal mining.
Rather than following repressive tactics, CSJP has urged the government to adopt the path of dialogue with all the stakeholders by respecting the life and dignity of every citizen living in the mining belt.
The use of State repression to cover up gross illegalities and irregularities in the mining activity could only spell doom to the future of mining industry in Goa, cautioned Fr Fernandes.
