Huge consignment of mining explosives seized
By IANSFriday, January 14, 2011
PANAJI - The Maharashtra Police seized a huge illegal consignment of explosive material, including detonators, gelatine and 750 kgs of ammonium nitrate, less than 200 metres from the Goa-Maharashtra border late Friday evening.
A police official said that the consignment was being dispatched to illegal mines in and around Valpoi, 60 kms from here.
“We have seized 1,500 detonators, 800 gelatin sticks and 15 bags of ammonium nitrate which weigh 50 kg each. Two persons, including one Ankush Zopeshwarkar from Maharhastra and one Rajasthani labourer have been arrested,” police inspector V. Kaldate of Dodamarg police station told IANS.
He added that there was no legal documents for the consignment, all of which was unmarked and unaccounted for.
Illegal and unchecked mining is a sensitive issue in Goa, with both civil society groups and the opposition voicing concern repeatedly.
According to data submitted in the assembly, ore worth Rs.4,000 crore was illegally mined and exported out of the Goa to countries like China, Japan, and Romania among others.
Leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar claims that nearly 18 percent of Goa’s total 40 million mining output was illegally mined ore. He has also accused Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and several ministers of colluding with the illegal mining industry.
