BICHOLIM: About 200-odd farmers from Poira, Bicholim on Friday halted the transportation of mining ore through their village demanding that the company provide them with compensation for their damaged farms.
The farmers under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha Mayem unit halted the transportation of ore at Poira. The farmers placed stones on the road and also sat in the middle of the road blocking the movement of trucks.
Tension erupted when the truck drivers started arguing with the farmers for not allowing them to proceed further. The drivers asked the farmers to sought out the matter with the company rather than taking them to task. The farmers also confronted the drivers and insisted that they would not allow the transportation of ore till their demands are met.
It may be recalled that a mining company had already settled the issue with farmers by giving them compensation while the mining company in question was also asked by the Bicholim mamletdar to provide them with compensation. The company on the other hand challenged the order in the court.
Speaking to the media, Kisan Sabha Mayem president, Kamlakant Gadekar said they had placed before the mining company several demands which were not fulfilled.
We had asked them to provide us with compensation, desilt the lake from the village but the company has not fulfilled our damands. There is a report from the agricultural department that before ore transportation our issues should be resolved,” said Gadekar.
“There are too many trucks plying through our village and even accidents occur in the area. We will not keep quite till the company provides us with compensation which amounts to about Rs 1.29 crore,” he added.
Later, in the evening the Bicholim Mamletdar, Pravinjay Pandit convened a meeting with the stake holders and tried to resolve the issue. “I have tried to resolve the matter amicably after the meeting with the company officials and the farmers,” Pandit said.
