RETIRED POLICE OFFICIAL FIGHTS AGAINST SAND MINING

PANJIM: Disillusioned by the government's delay in implementing an order to regulate sand mining in the Tiracol River at Keri, a retired police official has decided to take up the cudgels and organize a public meeting to discuss the matter on Sunday.

Narayan Sopte Kerkar, a retired assistant police inspector, alleged that sand mining continues apace in the 2-km stretch from the ferry point upstream of the Tiracol river. "Though the government had directed that sand mining be curbed near the mouth of the river, the order has not been implemented," Kerkar alleged while speaking to reporters in the capital on Thursday.

Alleging that the massive scale of mining has resulted in severe damage to the ecology and loss of revenue which could have gone into the government's coffers, Kerkar said that Sunday's meeting will also discuss the threat of illegal activity near the Ajoba temple in Keri.

The newly-formed Goenchea Rakhonndarancho Avaz (GRA), comprising 35 organizations, has also extended its support to the agitation, Kerkar said.

Recalling that he had first complained to the government about mining activity in Keri in April 2010, Kerkar said that chief minister Digambar Kamat had assured him that action in the matter would be initiated during the monsoon session of the Goa assembly in July 2010.

The issue was discussed in yet another session from January 31 to February 4, this year, and mining activity was subsequently halted from January 12 to February 15. "But it was restarted later and continues at a frenetic pace," Kerkar alleged.  "If nothing is done by the weekend, I will also sit at the doorstep of the office of the mines department from Monday and begin a hunger strike," Kerkar said.