PONDA: Calling upon the authorities to stop dumping of iron ore close to their fields, some 100 plus Dharbandora farmers have threatened to take to the streets with their families to protest the “illegal activity” if the same is not stopped immediately.
Addressing the media, Shetkari Sangatana President Ankush Gaonkar said that over 1.2 lakh square meters of paddy fields in Dharbandora are the only source of livelihood for over hundred farmers who cultivate paddy throughout the year. And according to Gaonkar, the problem started for the farmers, when two months ago two locals started developing two large plots of land near their fertile fields for dumping mining ore, which he said, would likely flow into the fields during the rains and damage them.
Besides, he said, a stream is flowing through the area and if dumping takes place it might cause damage to the stream during rainy season as the dumped ore would flow into stream.
He further alleged that the same two locals have also started a stone quarry just near the paddy fields, extracting laterite stones on a large scale.
Gaonkar said that the farmers have complained to the Mines Department, Dharbandora deputy collector, mamlatdar, Collem police inspector, Dharbandora panchayat and other authorities against the “illegal activities”. “However, no authority has taken any action against the illegal activities, forcing the farmers to go public before the media with their plight,” he regretted.
Meanwhile, the farmers have warned the two locals who are running the laterite stone quarry near their fields and also the mining company, of agitation if they do not stop their “illegal activities.”
The press briefing was attended by over hundred framers.
