Protests over mining project take ugly turn

The protest against the mining project at Kalne village, Dodamarg taluka, near Savantwadi took a serious turn on Friday when police inspector of Dodamarg police station Nandkumar Deshmukh allegedly assaulted Rama Desai, a senior citizen. He also reportedly abused women and manhandled one Yogita Bhikaji Desai, 25, a resident of Kalne village.

The women were protesting the transportation of sealed mining machinery through a privately-owned plot, the site of mining, at Kalne village.

The machinery was sealed following orders by the sub-divisional officer, Savantvadi.” said social activist Vaishali Patil.

The SDO had imposed a fine of Rs5 lakh on the company for illegal road construction from private fields, she added. However, the additional collector, Sindhudurg, released the machinery.

A group of women went to Kalne police station to lodge a complaint against Deshmukh but officials refused to take down the complaint.

“They then went to Savantvadi. The officials here too abused and turned them out,” Patil said.

Finally they went to Sindhudurg Nagri to meet the superintendent of police.

“When they refused to leave without meeting the SP, the officials there switched off all lights forcing the women to spend the night in the dark. They were later arrested and produced in the court,” Patil said.

The villagers have demanded for immediate suspension of Deshmukh and a complaint registered against him for molesting women.