The show cause notices have been issued to the iron ore mining lease operators at Sonshi village, seeking their reply on the violations of pollution norms, the State Government informed the High Court on Thursday.

The Bombay High Court at Goa had last week took suo motu cognizance of the media reports on Sonshi village which is adversely affected due to mining ore transportation and issued notices to the State government, Police Inspector- Bicholim, medical officer and Goa Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).

Government informed Court that the GSPCB has conducted the inspection at the village and based on that show cause notices have been served to the mining lease holders.

State further informed that currently the transportation of ore from the village area is been kept under abeyance, while directing the lease holders to opt for alternate route till further measures for mitigation are taken to reduce the pollution level.

The matter is been adjourned till second week after summer vacation. The Board will submit its report during the next hearing.

The Court has now directed Government to provide potable water to the villagers and ensure that village has proper tap water connections at the earliest.

The villagers of Sonshi are complaining of major dust pollution in the village due to ore transportation and also loss of ground water. They claimed that their kids have fallen sick. Nearly 45 villagers were arrested and kept in judicial custody for nearly 10 days for blocking road and trying to create law and order situation.

The Bicholim PI in his affidavit informed that the villagers were arrested to avoid law and order situation in the village.

The local medical officer in his affidavit before the Court informed that the health condition of the children from the village is not as bad or worst as projected by the villagers.

Team TNV