Protests in Arvi have continued over night following the announcement that coal mines in Amar state will be reopened, and environmental laws relaxed.
Activists still remain in the Governor’s office, while police removed nearly 40 people from the Mayor of Arvi’s chambers last night. Protestors had chained themselves to doors and staircases in the seat of local government in the city.
Governor Schavelev called for protesters to ‘go home’,
“We understand your frustration – but this state, and this country, will not be held hostage by a minority of people. Our country needs industry, and it needs jobs,” the governor said people would ‘grow impatient’ of those protesting.
Overnight a clampdown by police in the city arrested 70 more protesters.
Police suggested they may impose a curfew on the city from 10pm tonight – such tactics proved effective when managing similar anti-government protests in May last year by the Sar-nationalist organisation, Freedom Front.
