Goa: FIR filed against firm over ore theft

PANAJI: Bicholim police on Wednesday filed a first information report (FIR) against Vaibhavi Shipping Pvt Ltd in connection with the theft of iron ore lumps at Cudnem in Sanquelim constituency.
“We have registered an offence based on a complaint by Nitin K Atoskar, assistant geologist, directorate of mines and geology,” Bicholim police inspector Suraj Gawas said.
A senior officer at the mines department said that the company was granted permission to transport fines, and not lumps. A senior officer said that officials of the mines department had gone to conduct some other inspection, but they noticed that the lumps have been transported. Upon inquiry, it was found that lumps were transported without permission, and subsequently, a police complaint was filed.
“At plot survey bearing reg No 148 of Cudnem, Sanquelim, the complainant and his staff found 31 tipper trucks loaded with iron ore lumps for transportation by Vaibhavi Shipping Pvt Ltd without obtaining necessary valid permission/licence from the competent authority, thereby committed theft of major mineral, iron ore lumps, and illegal transportation,” Gawas stated in the complaint.
Police sub-inspector Anil Polekar is conducting further investigations.