In response to local pressure to crack down on illegal mining, Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat said that "mining officials will have to follow the directives. If they don’t do it, they will be hanged." The wealthy region has recently seen greater activity from anti-illegal mining activists, resulting in the closure of two mines and increased pressure on corrupt officials to conform to policies. Villagers near the two mines complained that the mines, which had not obtained permission under the Water and Air Pollution Acts, were operating in collusion with local officials. According to Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar, nearly one-fifth of the region's mining output consists of illegally mined ore. In addition, Parrikar accused several officials of aiding the illegal mining mafia. For the full story, see http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/illegal-mining-officials-will-be-hanged.