Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A long-standing dispute over laterite mining in Cavre Pirla, Sanguem, reportedly took a violent turn when a group of 15 to 16 people allegedly stormed the home of Mithil Desai and physically assaulted him and his family members.
The Desai family initially approached the Quepem Police Station to lodge a complaint soon after the incident. However, they claim no First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the time. Frustrated by the delay and fearing for their safety, the family took their plea to the South Goa Collector’s office in Margao, seeking immediate police protection.
An FIR was finally registered late Tuesday night at around 10:30 PM at Quepem Police Station. Rekha Desai, Mithil’s mother, filed the complaint, naming nine known individuals and four unidentified persons as accused in the attack.
During the altercation, Mithil’s brother and mother reportedly suffered injuries, further escalating the family’s demand for justice. The Desais believe the assault is directly linked to ongoing local tensions surrounding laterite mining operations in the area, which have become a source of frequent community disputes.
Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway, and they have assured the family that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings.
The incident has once again brought attention to the simmering unrest tied to resource extraction in the region, prompting calls for stricter oversight and timely intervention by authorities.
