Tension prevailing in Mylaram over mining exploration

The usually calm atmosphere of the village was disrupted by the screams of women and heated arguments between the police and the farmers. Reports suggest that during the chaos between the villagers and police, a woman fainted. Another woman reportedly attempted to ingest pesticide in an attempt to take her own life, but was prevented by the villagers.

Nagarkurnool: Tension prevails in Mylaram village under Balmoor mandal since Monday morning after farmers and villagers launched a relay hunger strike against the mining exploration in the vicinities and with police arresting the residents.

The otherwise serene ambience in the village was reverberating with screams of women and arguments between the police and farmers and villagers.

---

It is learnt that a woman lost consciousness in the melee between the police personnel and the villagers. A woman also tried to consume pesticide and commit suicide but was stopped by the villagers, according to reports.

As a means to prevent mining and vehicles passage, the residents even fenced the roads leading to the village with thorny bushes.

Since the last few months, farmers and residents have been opposing the mining exploration in the locality, citing adverse impact on nature, their lives and livelihood. Amidst the stiff opposition, a few persons under the influence of a few local elected public representatives were trying to explore mining in the area.

Intensifying their demands, the villagers on Monday launched a relay hunger strike under the aegis of Mylaram Grama Parirakshana Samithi.

However, the police arrived in the village in large numbers and arrested the villagers and farmers. Irked over the police action, the villagers raised slogans against the police department and the Congress government.

The villagers also demanded the police to release all those, who have been arrested immediately, failing which they threatened to consume pesticides.

Meanwhile, political scientist and professor Haragopal, Human Rights Association State president Gaddam Laxman and others were denied permission from visiting the village. Environment experts and human rights activists have been raising objections over mining but exploration was being taken up without conducting any public hearing over the issue, they said.