Amona Bachao Andolan and Panchkruti Nagrik Samiti

PANJIM: Even as the High Court admitted that people could protest so long as it is lawful, they made it clear that citizens can't take law in their own hands and obstruct vehicular movement.

The Division bench of Justice FI Rebello and Justice NA Britto passed this order while disposing off a petition filed by truck owners Claudio Marquis and 12 others, whose truck filled with mineral ore of M/S Sesa Goa Ltd had been blocked by the agitating citizens belonging to Amona Bachao Andolan and Panchkruti Nagrik Samiti.


Villagers are agitating against the pollution caused due to mining activity and has also filed a complaint against the truck owners and others (read the mining companies) under section 133 of CrPC (removal of nuisance) with the Bicholim Deputy Collector. The Court has asked the Deputy Collector to consider the same.

However, Marquis and others approached the Court against the alleged "illegal" action of the two citizen's groups, which had blocked the Sonshi – Amona road from November 13, 2007. The State of Goa, North Goa Collector, Bicholim Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar and Director General of Police (DGP) were also made respondents for the alleged failure to take action against people blocking the road and stopping vehicular movement.

All the 114 trucks were transporting iron ore belonging to M/S Sesa Goa Ltd from Sonshi mines to Amona Bunder were blocked since November 13. The counsel for the petitioners, Atmaram Nadkarni alleged that despite writing to the various government authorities and meeting the Bicholim Deputy Collector and SDPO, they failed to take any action in the matter.

The Court not only directed the state government to give assistance to the petitioners to move the trucks from the place where they currently are, but made it clear that there should be no obstruction on the road and if there is any obstruction is there on the road, it should be removed. The Court issued this order after the counsel for the petitioner pointed out that tents were constructed on the road.

However, counsel for the government, SR Rivonkar, submitted that there are no constructions of the road. The counsel for the two citizen's groups, Vivek Rodrigues, also reiterated this statement.